Isiah Pacheco, one of the top running backs in recent Rutgers football history, has signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions as a free agent, according to NFL Network and reports by Aaron Wilson of KPRC. This move brings Pacheco into the NFC North, where he will face off twice yearly against Kyle Monangai, his Rutgers protégé who is entering his second year with the Chicago Bears.
Pacheco’s Career Highlights and Recent Challenges
Pacheco spent his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning two Super Bowl titles during that time. However, injuries have hampered his recent performance; a fractured fibula restricted him to just seven games in 2024, and in 2025 he played a complementary role to Kareem Hunt. Now with Detroit, Pacheco aims for a fresh start while renewing his on-field rivalry with Monangai.
Mentorship and Rivalry Rooted in Rutgers
During their 2021 season at Rutgers, Pacheco led the Scarlet Knights with 647 rushing yards on 167 carries, while Monangai was his backup, rushing for 236 yards on 62 attempts. After Pacheco left for the NFL as a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft, Monangai took over and surpassed expectations. In his final two college seasons, Monangai became the first Rutgers running back since Ray Rice to rush for over 1,000 yards in consecutive years.
He’s somebody that inspires me to get to where he is, and I tell him that to his face all the time. He’s an inspiration to not only me, but to the guys behind me.
?Kyle Monangai, Running Back
Parallels in NFL Beginnings and Continued Competition
Like Pacheco, Monangai was selected in the seventh round, joining the Bears in 2025. He made a strong impression with 783 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season. Though the two played once as professionals in a 2023 preseason game, their regular matchups will now intensify in the NFC North rivalry between Detroit and Chicago.
Looking Ahead to a Renewed Rivalry in Detroit
Pacheco’s transition to the Lions restores an exciting dynamic between mentor and protégé, promising compelling showdowns on the field at least twice every season. This rivalry underscores both players’ ongoing determination as they pursue success in the league following their shared roots at Rutgers and recent NFL experiences. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Pacheco’s fresh start impacts the Lions and adds new energy to his competition with Monangai.
#Lions signing Isiah Pacheco to one-year contract , per a league source, as the replacement for David Montgomery, who was traded to #Texans @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Z6P5p4hP64
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 10, 2026
