As February comes to an end, the Kansas City Chiefs are turning their attention to free agency and the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, aiming to recover from a disappointing 6-11 season. Among the roster decisions, Isiah Pacheco’s future with the team is drawing significant attention amid the free agency period.
General manager Brett Veach faces a challenging offseason with multiple high-usage players potentially departing, and the prospect of losing key contributors like Pacheco adds to the uncertainty of the Chiefs’ roster moving forward.
Forecast for Isiah Pacheco’s Free Agency Departure
On February 20, Jesse Newell, team beat writer for The Athletic, ranked the Chiefs’ top unrestricted free agents and highlighted Isiah Pacheco’s likely exit. Newell suggested that Pacheco might sign with another team this offseason, seeking a fresh start.
Pacheco is an energy-giver as a teammate and has never been afraid to take on contact with a physical running style,
Newell wrote.
But he also doesn’t elude tackles well and hasn’t established himself yet as a reliable receiver. He seems likely to sign elsewhere, with that team hoping the 26-year-old can see a career resurgence with better health luck.
Entering his fourth season, Pacheco’s performance has not met expectations. He recorded an average of 3.9 yards per carry and 4.1 yards per touch, matching a career low. His production before and after contact also lagged, averaging 2.2 and 1.8 yards respectively. Over the 2025-26 campaign, Pacheco tallied 118 rushes for 462 yards and a single touchdown.
Advanced analytics reflected similar concerns. Among 49 backs with over 100 carries, Pacheco ranked near the bottom—44th in success rate and 46th in explosive rush share according to SumerSports. NFL Pro data placed him at -0.4 rush yards over expected per attempt.
Financial projections for Pacheco’s potential free agent contract vary. Over The Cap estimates a yearly value of $1.8 million, while Spotrac and The Athletic suggest figures of $4.3 million and $5.25 million respectively. Given these valuations, a change of scenery appears logical for both player and team.
Evaluating Kansas City’s Options for Running Back Replacement
If the Chiefs decide to part ways with Pacheco, re-signing veteran Kareem Hunt could be a viable option. Hunt’s skill set, particularly in short-yardage scenarios, makes him valuable for crucial late downs and goal-line situations, even as he progresses beyond his 30s.
However, the Chiefs will likely need to seek additional reinforcements elsewhere. Fortunately for Kansas City, this offseason presents a strong pool of free agent running backs, although acquiring top-tier talent may come at a significant cost. For instance, Dallas Cowboys’ Javonte Williams recently agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension.
Decisions from other teams will shape the running back market. It remains unclear if the New York Jets will place the franchise tag on Breece Hall, possibly keeping him off the market. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks must choose Kenneth Walker’s future, and reports indicate Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne has expressed interest in joining the Chiefs. Other notable names include Carolina Panthers’ Rico Dowdle and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Kenneth Gainwell, both of whom could fill larger roles.
On the draft front, many hope the Chiefs select Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love with their ninth overall pick, a move that would bring fresh playmaking ability but also involve clear trade-offs. Emmett Johnson from Nebraska is another common name linked to Kansas City for Day 2 of the draft.
Despite the need for improvement, the Chiefs remain above the salary cap as of this article’s publication, signaling that Veach and his management team face a complex balancing act in assembling the roster.
The outcome of these free agency decisions, particularly regarding Isiah Pacheco, may significantly influence the Chiefs’ prospects for the 2026 season and beyond, as the team aims to rebound and return to championship form.
