Isiah Pacheco is ready to take 2025 by storm.
The Kansas City Chiefs running back was a revelation during his first two seasons in the NFL.
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A seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers, Pacheco exploded into to a difference maker ready to take over the then-reigning Super Bowl champions’ backfield in 2024.
But just two weeks into last season, injury hit.
Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula against the Cincinnati Bengals, and missed 10 weeks of action.
Although he returned down the stretch, the running back was unable to recapture his early-career form, and Kansas City’s season culminated in a punchless performance at Super Bowl 59.
In a bid to avoid any devastating setbacks in 2025, Pacheco has put on some serious muscle during the offseason, replenishing the weight he lost during last year’s efforts to rehab.
“Just going back to 216 (pounds), 4.37 Isiah Pacheco-style,” the running back, who was reportedly down to around 200 pounds in 2024, said of his goals.
Those numbers reflect Pacheco’s hope to get back to his 2022 NFL Combine shape, where the 216-pound prospect blazed his way to a 4.37 40-yard dash to catch Kansas City’s attention.
He was not near that weight at the end of last season after missing 10 weeks of action, and did not he look nearly as explosive in the backfield.
“You’re out there working your tail off and just sweating every day and not eating enough to get the weight back,” the 26-year-old, who is currently under a $3.7million rookie deal, said of his experience last season.
“There’s not going to be as much time to gain weight during the season, rather than the offseason and the whole program that they have here for us.”
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Pacheco has clearly been putting in the work ahead of the new season, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“He looks good,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said.
“Physically, he looks real good. He’s put on a couple pounds of good weight.
“He’d gotten himself down there a little bit last year and leaned up, but, man, I think he looks tremendous right now.”
Pacheco was a key part of Kansas City’s offense in the opening weeks of last season, with 15 carries in Week 1 and 19 carries the following week.
But in the final two minutes of that dramatic win over the Bengals in Week 2, he suffered that devastating broken leg.
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The running back had racked up 135 rushing yards and one touchdown on 34 carries, with seven receptions for 54 yards, before being placed on injured reserve.
Pacheco returned in late November, for a Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
But after making his comeback, he never eclipsed 14 rushing attempts, and amassed just 175 yards with no scores over his final five regular-season games.
Pacheco will be hopeful that 2025 is a different story, as he is heading into a contract season.
His rookie deal expires next year, and his future with the Chiefs or beyond will depend on him showcasing the same explosiveness we’ve seen in previous years.
While Pacheco will be looking to impress, his teammate Travis Kelce could be on his ‘last ride’ in 2025, hoping to bow out on a high.
Alongside Patrick Mahomes, they will be hoping to reach another Super Bowl.
For his part, Pacheco believes his body feeling ‘great’ ahead of a big year.
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“I’d say my mental toughness is good, and my physical toughness is awesome,” he said. “I’m just happy.”
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