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Is Isiah Pacheco's Chiefs Starting Role In Jeopardy?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 11:02 AM ET

Life comes at you fast in the NFL, and Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is finding that out now.

After two superb seasons to start his career that saw Pacheco rush for over 800 yards and at least five touchdowns in both years, a leg injury last season hampered him and is now a big reason why some see him as under pressure to perform.

Why? A host of reasons, with the biggest being that Isiah will be playing on the final year of his rookie deal, and the other is the competition with Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith making up the depth chart.

Now, NFL.com is wondering how the season might shake out for Pacheco if he doesn't hit the ground running early this upcoming season.

"The injury bug derailed Isiah Pacheco's third season," NFL.com wrote. "The Chiefs RB suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2, and when he returned, he didn't appear to be the same angry runner down the stretch of the Chiefs' regular season and playoff run. Pacheco has bulked up to 216 pounds, just like how he entered the NFL.

"Meanwhile, the Chiefs took a flier in the draft by selecting Brashard Smith out of SMU in the seventh round. Pacheco will hope he can have an impact just like his first two seasons in the league, but if he has a slow start, Smith, along with Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell, could take some snaps from the electric RB1."

As training camp gets underway in the next few weeks, Pacheco will be the starter for head coach/play-caller Andy Reid, and it will be up to the four-year veteran to stay there.

While there could be a thought that Pacheco could get overtaken in the regular season if he doesn't produce, the same could be said in training camp, too.

All it would take is for Mitchell or Smith, or even Hunt, to showcase something that catches the coaching staff's attention, and now we have a conversation about the pecking order.

Pacheco was the bona fide starter for two seasons and produced well. However, now, after an injury and entering a contract year, it appears the pressure is on the Super Bowl winner more than ever to ensure he remains the starter.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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