Isiah Pacheco Chooses Detroit Lions, Explains Chiefs’ Contract Offer

Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco revealed that the Kansas City Chiefs offered him a contract to remain with the team before he signed with Detroit. Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million fully guaranteed contract with the Lions on March 12, 2026, after the Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker III .

Pacheco’s Decision and Contract Details

During his introductory press conference on March 17, 2026, Pacheco stated, “There were a lot of teams, (and) I had eight opportunities to go to different teams. Kansas City was one of them.” He explained that once the Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker III, he knew he needed to explore other options, and Detroit was his first choice .

The one-year deal is worth $1.81 million and is fully guaranteed .

Pacheco’s Career Highlights

Pacheco, originally a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Rutgers, has played 51 career games (42 starts), rushing for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns on 576 carries (4.4 avg.). He similarly has 88 receptions for 554 yards and three touchdowns .

He won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs (LVII, LVIII) before becoming a free agent .

Role with the Detroit Lions

Pacheco joins the Lions to complement running back Jahmyr Gibbs, filling the role previously held by David Montgomery, who was traded to the Houston Texans . In 2025, Pacheco rushed for 462 yards, averaging 35 rushing yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry .

Despite showing promise early in his career, rushing for 1,765 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first two seasons, Pacheco has faced injury challenges, missing 14 games over the past two seasons .