Isiah Pacheco Joins Detroit Lions, Filling Void Left by David Montgomery

The Detroit Lions have added Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco to their roster in free agency, positioning him as the primary backup to Jahmyr Gibbs. This move comes after the departure of David Montgomery, who previously held that role.

Pacheco’s Contract and Role

Pacheco signed a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $1.81 million with the Lions according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He is expected to serve as a complement to Gibbs, providing a physical rushing presence.

Recent Performance and Injury History

While Pacheco enjoyed success early in his career, winning Super Bowls in his first two seasons with the Chiefs after being drafted in the seventh round out of Rutgers, his production has declined in recent years. He averaged 634 rushing yards over the past four seasons. Last season, Pacheco recorded 462 rushing yards and one touchdown in 13 games, averaging 3.9 yards per carry.

Injuries have been a concern for Pacheco, as he fractured his fibula in 2024 and missed four weeks in 2025 with a knee injury . His efficiency also dipped, ranking 46th out of 49 qualifying running backs in explosive run rate last season.

Lions Running Back Depth Chart

The Lions now have five running backs on their roster: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors, and Jabari Small .

Pacheco’s “Violent” Running Style and Championship Mentality

Pacheco is known for his physical and aggressive running style, described by some as running “as if he is angry at the ground” . He brings a championship mentality to Detroit, having won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Impact on the Lions Offense

Despite recent injury concerns and a decline in statistics, Pacheco offers value as a backup running back and could provide Gibbs with opportunities to rest, potentially extending his longevity and effectiveness throughout the season . He ran for 830 yards and five scores as a rookie in 2022 and 935 yards with seven scores in 2023.

Other Lions Free Agency Moves

The Lions also added center Cade Mays and offensive tackle Larry Borom during the first week of free agency. They lost linebacker Alex Anzalone, defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, and cornerback Amik Robertson.