In St. Joseph, Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs have reconvened for training camp with familiar intensity and a few unexpected talking points.
After closing out the 2024 NFL season with a 15-2 record, an AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills and a runner‑up finish in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City enters 2025 with championship aspirations firmly intact.
Their defense, spearheaded by Pro Bowler Chris Jones and All-Pro Trent McDuffie, ranked fourth in the league last year in points allowed (326), helping offset an offense that at times struggled to produce explosive plays.
Yet so far in camp, it’s those big gains that have everyone’s attention.
On Wednesday, the first full‑squad practice drew extra eyes, not only for Patrick Mahomes’ deep connection with second‑year receiver Xavier Worthy, but for the route-running ability of 26-year-old running back Isiah Pacheco.
It didn’t take long for fans to zero in on Pacheco’s awkward execution of a basic flat route.
“Pachecos route lmao,” said one user.
“Pacheco should not be out there running,” another fan commented.
“Pacheco has to work on his route running 😂,” another user replied.
“Buddy’s a bobble head,” said one other fan.
“He run routes like druski,” another commenter replied.
“Dudes got the sauce,” one other user responded.
A Vineland, New Jersey, native, Pacheco starred at Rutgers before the Chiefs selected him in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
In 2023, he rushed 205 times for 935 yards (4.6 avg.) and seven touchdowns, adding 44 catches for 244 yards and two scores.
That year, he became the only running back in NFL history to win two Super Bowls in his first two seasons, with career totals of 2,075 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 453 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns through the end of 2024.
Pacheco is playing on the final year of his four‑year, $3.74 million rookie deal, which carries a fully guaranteed signing bonus of $79,108 and an average annual value of $934,777, per Spotrac.
The Chiefs have yet to offer an extension, leaving Pacheco to prove his value in what could be a contract‑year audition.
