Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second … More
After the final practice of the first week of organized team activities (OTAs), Isiah Pacheco appropriately wore a Rutgers jacket.
Through taking online classes, the Kansas City Chiefs running back completed his undergraduate degree from that university.
“It means so much to me and my family,” Pacheco said. “I’m so blessed.”
Another offseason goal for Pacheco was to add weight, following a down year.
He broke his right fibula against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week Two of 2024 and was limited to seven games. For the first time in his three years in the NFL, he finished under 4.0 yards per carry (3.7) for the season while rushing for just 310 yards.
“That’s what happens when you’re dealing with an injury,” Pacheco said. “And you’re just trying to rush back.”
During the OTAs Pacheco said he felt “great,” and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid echoed that description.
“He looks tremendous right now,” Reid said. “He’s put on a couple of pounds of good weight.”
This is a critical year for Pacheco to be at his best.
He’s in the final season of his four-year, $3.7 million rookie deal with the Chiefs and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
The Chiefs added another running back who will also be in a contract year. They signed former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell to a one-year, $2.5 million, free-agent contract.
They also brought back Kareem Hunt (also on a one-year deal) and drafted running back Brashard Smith, a converted wide receiver, to augment their running back room.
“It’s a phenomenal room,” Pacheco said.
One might not think a seventh-round pick like Smith could make an impact, but Pacheco was drafted in that final round too and went on start 11 games and rush for 830 yards during his rookie year en route to a Super Bowl LVII victory.
Through his first three years with the Chiefs, all he’s known is Super Bowls.
“To go three times in a row is surreal,” he said.
Prior to Super Bowl LIX, Pacheco was officially listed at 216 pounds, but his weight likely was well below that.
Though Pacheco declined to answer when asked for his objective as far as total weight for 2025, he returned to his roots, working out at the local YMCA to add muscle.
Pacheco grew up in Vineland, N.J., which is 45 minutes away from Philadelphia, and used to root for the Eagles.
While lifting weights he understandably saw several other workout warriors wearing Eagles hats. That team, of course, had just defeated the Chiefs, 40-22, in Super Bowl LIX.
“I use it as a big motivation,” Pacheco said.
He was also motivated to get his college degree, an impressive achievement for a successful, professional athlete who should not need to put his criminal justice major to use any time soon.
“He wants to make not only himself better for the community but generations to come in his family,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “That’s special.”
