He runs like the ground personally insulted his family. That is the first thing you notice about Isiah Pacheco, the engine of the modern Kansas City Chiefs backfield. Watching him, you sort of get the feeling that he isn’t just trying to gain yards; he’s trying to punish the turf for existing. It’s violent. It’s loud. Honestly, it is exactly what Andy Reid needed to balance out the finesse of Patrick Mahomes’ passing game.
Pacheco isn't your traditional "bell cow" in the sense of a 250-pound bruiser. He’s about 215 pounds of pure, unadulterated twitch. When the Chiefs took him in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft—pick number 251, to be exact—nobody expected him to become the definitive Kansas City Chiefs running back for a Super Bowl dynasty. He was a track star from Rutgers with a high motor. Most seventh-rounders are lucky to make the practice squad. Pacheco made everyone else look like they were standing still.
The Evolution of the Kansas City Chiefs Running Back
For a long time, the identity of this position in KC was defined by legendary names like Jamaal Charles or Priest Holmes. Those guys were maestros. Charles was a gazelle; he’d glide past you before you even realized he was in the secondary. Holmes was a vision-based runner who followed blocks with surgical precision.
Pacheco changed the vibe.
He doesn't glide. He stomps.
The shift from a "pass-first, pass-second" mentality to a balanced attack has been the secret sauce for the Chiefs' recent success. People forget that during the early Mahomes years, the running game was often an afterthought or a "check-down" outlet. Now? It’s a weapon. When defensive coordinators play "two-high" shells to stop the deep ball, Pacheco makes them pay. He hits the hole so fast that linebackers don't have time to shed their blocks. If you hesitate for half a second against him, you're watching his jersey numbers disappear downfield.
Why the Running Style Actually Works (And Why It’s Dangerous)
There is a lot of talk about "running style" in the NFL. Scouts usually love a "low-center-of-gravity" guy who can bounce off hits. Pacheco runs upright. It defies traditional logic. You’d think a guy running that high would be a massive target for safeties, but he’s so explosive that he tends to initiate the contact rather than receiving it.
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Think about the 2023 playoffs.
Against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship, the weather was gritty and the game was tight. The Chiefs needed to bleed the clock. In years past, they might have struggled to close that out. But having a Kansas City Chiefs running back who treats every carry like a goal-line stand changes the math. He racked up 24 carries in that game. He didn't have a 50-yard breakout, but he had those soul-crushing four-yard gains that keep the chains moving.
The Injury Factor
We have to be real here: the way he plays is terrifying for his longevity. In 2024, Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula that sidelined him for a massive chunk of the season. It was a wake-up call for the fanbase. When he went down, the offense felt... different. Stiff.
Kareem Hunt’s return to the roster provided a nostalgic cushion, and honestly, Hunt played way better than most people expected for a guy coming off the street. But Hunt is a different flavor. He’s about contact balance and "sliperiness." He doesn't have that "anger" that Pacheco brings to the huddle.
Breaking Down the Depth Chart
It isn't just a one-man show, though. The Chiefs' backfield is a rotating door of specific skill sets:
- The Power/Energy Guy: Obviously Pacheco. He's the starter. He’s the heart.
- The Veteran Presence: Kareem Hunt. He knows the system. He’s basically a coach on the field who can still fall forward for three yards.
- The Third-Down Specialist: This has fluctuated, but Samaje Perine was brought in specifically for his pass-blocking and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Mahomes loves a back he can trust not to let a blitzing linebacker take his head off.
- The Speed Element: Guys like Carson Steele have added a weird, fun "fullback-style" energy, though Steele is more of a hybrid experiment.
What Most People Get Wrong About Andy Reid's Rushing Attack
There’s this persistent myth that Andy Reid hates running the ball. It’s not true. Reid loves efficiency. If the defense is giving him a 10-yard completion to Travis Kelce, he’ll take it every time. But if you look at the Super Bowl LVIII win against the 49ers, the running game was the stabilizer.
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When the Chiefs were struggling in the first half, it was the ground game that eventually opened up the play-action. Pacheco’s ability to demand attention in the box forces safeties to creep up. That is exactly when Mahomes hits you over the top. You can't have the "Magic Mahomes" highlights without the "Pacheco Punches."
The Rutgers Connection and the "Jersey Tough" Mentality
You can't talk about the current Kansas City Chiefs running back situation without mentioning Rutgers. It’s not exactly a blue-blood football factory. Pacheco played on some tough teams there. He learned how to run when the blocking wasn't perfect. He learned how to fight for every single inch because, at Rutgers, those inches were the difference between a punt and a first down.
That "underdog" mentality is why he fits so well in Kansas City. Despite the rings, the Chiefs under Reid have always cultivated a "we against the world" locker room. Pacheco is the personification of that.
The Financial Reality of the Position
Let’s talk money for a second, because the NFL is a business. Pacheco is a bargain. Because he was a seventh-round pick, his contract is a drop in the bucket compared to the massive deals Mahomes and Chris Jones have. This is the "Chiefs Way." You find high-value contributors on rookie deals so you can pay your superstars.
But eventually, the bill comes due.
Pacheco's rookie deal won't last forever. Will the Chiefs pay a running back who plays with such a high-risk physical style? History says probably not. The NFL is littered with backs who burned bright for four years and then faded. But for right now? He is the most important non-quarterback on that offense besides Kelce.
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Navigating the Fantasy Football Minefield
If you're looking at this from a fantasy perspective, Pacheco is a "volume king." When he’s healthy, Reid gives him the rock. The touchdown upside is massive because the Chiefs get into the red zone more than almost anyone else.
However, you have to watch the "vulture" factor. The Chiefs love using their tight ends or even Mahomes on scrambles near the goal line. Plus, Reid isn't afraid to give the "hot hand" the ball. If Pacheco is gassed, he has no problem letting a backup take the series.
How to Evaluate a Chiefs RB Performance
When you're watching the next game, don't just look at the rushing yards. Look at the "Yards After Contact." That is the true metric of a Kansas City Chiefs running back.
- Check the first contact: Does he go down on the first hit? Pacheco almost never does.
- Watch the blitz pickup: If a back can’t block, Reid won't put him on the field. Period.
- Look at the 4th quarter: This is when the running game matters most in KC. Can they close out a game without putting Mahomes in a dangerous spot?
The Chiefs have managed to turn a "discarded" seventh-round pick into a cornerstone of their franchise. It’s a testament to Brett Veach’s scouting and Pacheco’s sheer will. Whether he’s high-stepping into the end zone or lowering his shoulder into a defensive end, he’s redefined what it means to be a runner in a pass-heavy era.
Actionable Insights for Chiefs Fans and Analysts
To truly understand the impact of the running game in Kansas City, you should track these three specific areas throughout the season:
- Track the "Success Rate": Instead of total yards, look at how often the running back gains at least 40% of the required yards on first down. This keeps the Chiefs out of 3rd-and-long situations, where Mahomes is more vulnerable to exotic blitzes.
- Monitor the Snap Share: If Pacheco's snaps drop below 60%, it usually indicates the Chiefs are either in a high-speed "hurry-up" mode or they are worried about his cumulative workload.
- Observe the Personnel Groupings: Watch for "12 personnel" (two tight ends). When the Chiefs bring in an extra blocker like Noah Gray, it’s a signal that they are leaning into Pacheco’s physical style to wear down a light defensive front.
The reality is that while the league moves toward "positionless" football and analytics-heavy passing, the Chiefs have proven that a violent, dedicated ground attack is the ultimate insurance policy for a championship run. Pacheco isn't just a placeholder; he's the heartbeat of the offense.