After battling injuries in recent seasons, Isiah Pacheco is projected to leave the Kansas City Chiefs once his contract expires in 2026. Reports from The Athletic’s Jesse Newell indicate that Pacheco is inclined to join a new franchise during free agency, as the Chiefs are unlikely to retain him.
Free Agency Uncertainty Amid a Crowded Running Back Market
The outlook for Pacheco’s next team remains unclear due to his injury history and a competitive group of running backs expected to be available. Notable free agents at the position include Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne, and Kenneth Gainwell. Their presence complicates projections about where Pacheco might land.
Additionally, the upcoming draft class, highlighted by Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, adds more depth to running back options for teams seeking new talent.
Teams Potentially Needing a Running Back Starter
Several teams currently face pressing needs in their running back corps. The Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks stand out as franchises that could pursue a player like Pacheco to fill starting roles. Other squads may look to bolster depth behind their leading rushers.
Review of Pacheco’s Career Performance and Injury Impact
Selected as a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco completed his rookie contract with the Chiefs. His career began strongly, compiling 830 rushing yards, a 4.9 yards-per-carry average, and a 57.1 percent success rate in 2022, which ranked third among all running backs that season.
In 2023, he posted 1,179 total yards from scrimmage combined with nine touchdowns as the Chiefs achieved consecutive Super Bowl victories in his first two years. However, injuries disrupted his playing time over the past two seasons, limiting him to 20 games since 2023 and resulting in 952 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in that period.
Despite these setbacks, Pacheco maintained a 55.1 percent success rate during the 2025 season, placing twelfth among peers. While not known for explosive runs, his reliable down-to-down effectiveness remains appealing for teams seeking consistency in their backfield.
Implications for Pacheco’s Career and League Landscape
As Isiah Pacheco heads toward free agency, the combination of his injury challenges and the abundant choices among running backs creates uncertainty about his NFL future. Teams with open running back spots will weigh his steady production against concerns about durability. His departure from the Chiefs would mark the end of a promising but interrupted tenure, influencing roster decisions league-wide.
The 2026 offseason promises significant movement among running backs, with Pacheco’s next destination one of the more closely watched outcomes in that period.
