Isiah Pacheco Bulks Up: Chiefs RB adds 'good weight' for upcoming contract year after injury-plagued 2024 NFL season

Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is on the up-and-up after an injury-riddled 2024 NFL campaign that saw his production decline substantially. 

Pacheco fractured his fibula at the ankle joint in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. He was placed on injured reserve and out of the lineup until the Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pacheco returned to the field but was less effective in his role, averaging 3.4 yards per carry in the eight games he played across the regular season and postseason. He also suffered a rib injury in Week 17, further hampering his effectiveness. 

Speaking to reporters following Thursday's OTA practice session, Chiefs HC Andy Reid discussed Pacheco's progress this offseason, noting that there's something a little different about the team's starting running back this time.

“He (Isiah Pacheco) looks good," Reid said. "Physically, he looks real good. He’s put on a couple pounds of good weight. He got himself down there a little bit last year and leaned up, but man, yeah, I think he looks tremendous right now.”

Upon his return from injury last season, Pacheco weighed closer to 200 pounds than his listed weight of 216 pounds. During this offseason, the 26-year-old made a concerted effort to bulk up with the necessary weight to withstand a 17-game NFL season and postseason. But ahead of the 2024 season, Pacheco slimmed down to increase his speed and explosiveness. Then, he lost even more weight as he battled back from injury, but now it's just about building himself back up to an effective playing weight. 

"Absolutely, just going through injuries, you don't want to gain weight," Pacheco explained to reporters. "I'll be a little heavier to surpass that, and to get better, and build off of this past year's on-the-field play."

Remember that all Pacheco has known since entering the NFL via the 2022 NFL Draft is the Super Bowl. In his first two NFL seasons, he put some serious wear-and-tear on his body, playing in 38 games and amassing 538 touches. Creed Humphrey and Patrick Mahomes were the only ones who touched the ball more frequently in that span. 

"I'm just always fighting to get back," Pacheco said. "And, you know, working so hard. It starts with the weight. It always started with the weight. But, you know, it's coming off of injuries this season, as long as it gets. So you're fighting for positions, you're out there, working your tail off, and just sweating every day and not eating enough to get the weight back. There's not going to be as much time to gain weight during the season rather than offseason. And you know, the whole program that they got here."

With the 2025 NFL season 100 days away, Pacheco feels he's in a great spot to bounce back from the injury and contribute in the way he knows he can. 

"I feel great," Pacheco said. "Just, I'll say my mental toughness is good, and my physical toughness is awesome. Just happy." 

Where will his weight land when the team transitions from the offseason to the regular season? Pacheco says we'll have to wait for that answer.

"You'll find that out once we get near the games," he said.