Chiefs fans baffled by Isiah Pacheco’s mysterious disappearing act

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has a single forced missed tackle across the team's two losses to open up the 2025 NFL campaign. One.

Pacheco's elusiveness and speed have waned since fracturing his right fibula early last season. He appeared no worse for wear and ready to return to pre-injury form by virtually all accounts this past offseason. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid declared that the 2022 seventh-round pick "looked tremendous" in late May (h/t The Kansas City Star's Sam McDowell).

However, Reid and the Kansas City media's optimism hasn't come to fruition thus far this year. Pacheco's production (or lack thereof) and the good ol' eye test don't resemble the player that led the Chiefs in rushing in 2022 and 2023. Yet, internally, no one seems to understand why the talented young tailback hasn't regained his footing.

Nobody in Kansas City can figure out why Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is struggling

Per Dan Graziano of ESPN, members within the Chiefs' organization are "puzzled by [their] struggles in the run game." Moreover, Kansas City believed Pacheco was "his old self in camp and that he would be productive right out of the gate." Alas, that hasn't been the case, to say the least.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs continue to suffer because of Pacheco's (and veteran backfield mate Kareem Hunt) shortcomings. They've become a one-dimensional offense, though moving the ball through the air has also been an issue, given their depleted pass-catching corps. One problem feeds into the other, and it's a massive factor in the nine-time reigning AFC West champion's 0-2 start.

In fairness to Pacheco, the Chiefs' offensive line hasn't necessarily given him the push up front we've been accustomed to seeing. The advanced numbers tell us his struggles are a collective issue, at least to some extent. Here's how he ranks among the 50 running backs with at least 10 totes through two weeks in the following metrics:

• 42nd in yards before contact per attempt (0.73)
• Eighth-highest yards after contact percentage (76.6)
• 28th in stuff rate (46.7 percent)

Regardless, if Pacheco can't get on track soon and become the effective, violent, angry runner he once was, the Chiefs may have to try something different. One way or another, they must get the ground attack going. Graziano hints at seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith possibly getting more opportunities once he has a complete grasp of "all of the running back responsibilities."

Note: Stats courtesy of Fantasy Points' data suite ($).