Chiefs News
[the_ad id=”105842″]Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco scored his first rushing touchdown of the season in Week 7 against Las Vegas after a slow start to the 2025 campaign. The 26-year-old has rushed for 214 yards on 51 carries through six games while sharing backfield duties with veterans Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith.
Pacheco’s recent performance suggests an upward trend heading into Monday’s Week 8 matchup against Washington. He carried the ball 12 times for 51 yards against Detroit in Week 6, marking season highs in both attempts and yardage. The rushing touchdown against the Raiders ended a six-game drought for the former seventh-round pick.
The Chiefs’ offense has found its footing after a difficult start to the season. Kansas City has scored at least 28 points in four consecutive games from Week 4 through Week 7, including a 37-20 victory over Baltimore and a 31-0 shutout of the Raiders. The offensive surge has created more opportunities for Pacheco in short-yardage and red zone situations.
“I feel great,” Pacheco said during offseason workouts. “I’ll say my mental toughness is good and my physical toughness is awesome. I’m just happy.”
Pacheco missed most of the 2024 season after fracturing his fibula in Week 2. He appeared in only seven regular-season games last year, finishing with 310 rushing yards and one touchdown on 83 carries. The injury cost him nine games and disrupted what had been a promising start to his NFL career after winning Super Bowl rings in his first two seasons with Kansas City.
The Chiefs continue to employ a committee approach in the backfield. Hunt, who led the team in rushing during Pacheco’s absence last season, remains involved in the rotation. Smith, a seventh-round rookie from SMU, has carved out a role as a pass-catching specialist.
Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the importance of depth at running back during the offseason. General manager Brett Veach echoed that sentiment when discussing the Chiefs’ draft strategy, noting that successful teams often deploy multiple ball carriers throughout a long season.
Pacheco averaged 5.1 yards per carry against Detroit, demonstrating the efficiency that made him Kansas City’s primary back in 2022 and 2023. Over his first two seasons, he rushed for 1,765 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 274 receiving yards and two receiving scores.
The Chiefs enter Week 8 with a 4-3 record after winning four of their last five games. Kansas City hosts Washington on Monday Night Football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Commanders allow 4.5 yards per carry this season.
Pacheco is in the final year of his rookie contract. The Chiefs did not offer him an extension before the season, instead opting to evaluate his performance and health throughout the 2025 campaign before making a long-term commitment.
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