Isiah Pacheco has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s toughest runners, the heartbeat of the Kansas City Chiefs’ ground game. But since returning from injury last November, he hasn’t been able to recreate the same impact on the field.
Now, as Kansas City heads to MetLife Stadium for a Week 3 Sunday Night Football clash with the New York Giants, Pacheco is set for a special homecoming in New Jersey. But with the spotlight on him, the pressure is on the Chiefs’ running back to deliver. Here’s a breakdown of his recent struggles and what’s at stake.
Why Isiah Pacheco’s Running Back Form Matters For the Chiefs?
The 2022 draft’s seventh-round pick, with his aggressive and violent running style, is key to Andy Reid’s pass-heavy offense. Pacheco’s presence on the field provides quarterback Patrick Mahomes a reliable outlet when defenses key in on the passing game.
During Kansas City’s 2022 Super Bowl run, Pacheco averaged 4.9 yards per carry and racked up 830 rushing yards as a rookie. He followed that with another strong campaign in 2023, becoming the unquestioned RB1 and a fan favorite among the Chiefs.
When he’s at his best, the Chiefs’ offense takes on a different dimension, and Mahomes benefits from play-action. That hasn’t been the case recently, and his dip in production has also come at the worst possible time: the Chiefs have stumbled to a 0-2 start, the first such skid in the Mahomes era.
What’s Behind Pacheco’s Struggles Since Last November?
Since returning to action in late November after suffering a fractured fibula that sidelined him for over six weeks, Pacheco hasn’t been able to regain his pre-injury form.
In his last nine games, he has cleared 55 rushing yards only once and is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry during this stretch. Perhaps most telling, Pacheco failed to break a single run longer than 10 yards in four straight games during this stretch.
Those struggles have carried into the 2025 campaign. Through the first two games, Kansas City’s chief ball carrier has recorded just 47 rushing yards on 15 attempts in 25 yards in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers and 22 yards in Week 2 against the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles.
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While he had a few flashes in his last nine games, including a 6.3-yard-per-carry outing vs. the Raiders and a 5.0 Y/A game vs. the Chargers, most of his games saw him struggle to gain chunk plays.
Pacheco’s declining explosiveness is also a concerning trend. His inability to generate explosive plays suggests either the impact of his injury or a fundamental shift in his running style. The Chiefs’ offensive line has remained largely intact, meaning the lack of big plays likely stems from Pacheco himself rather than blocking issues.
However, his stretch of diminished production has coincided with Kareem Hunt’s surprising emergence as a key contributor in Kansas City’s backfield. The veteran running back has played a role in crucial situations, particularly in the red zone and third downs, where coaches typically trust their most reliable options.
Is Pacheco Excited for New Jersey Homecoming?
Looking ahead to his homecoming in New Jersey, Pacheco spoke to reporters after Friday’s practice. He remained focused and motivated ahead of his much-awaited return to play in front of his family.
“Going back home is always exciting. Being able to see people in the stands that I haven’t seen in months is always exciting for me,” said Pacheco, as reported by USA Today. “Knowing that I have family there, but most importantly, just going there on a mission.”
“It’s fun. I love competing (and) when you’re out there with your teammates, those are the times that I get to cherish every moment,” he added. “You never know when you’re gonna have your last play, so you just got to keep hitting it and having fun, and that’s the mindset that I bring to it. Go out there and have fun and leave it all out there.”
Pacheco needs to step up in Week 3, not only to help the Chiefs put up their first win and avoid an embarrassing 0-3 start to the campaign but also to secure his long-term role in the backfield at the franchise.
