Entering the preseason, Kansas City Chiefs fans were eager to see if anyone in the crowded running back room would break out with explosive plays. Unfortunately, no one was able to do so. As a result, the running back depth chart stayed as expected with Isiah Pacheco leading the way.
That said, the former seventh-round pick chose words to share before the team’s opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night. According to Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports, on Thursday, Pacheco said, “You know what revenge means? I’m on the revenge tour.” Pacheco’s words should fire up Chiefs Kingdom for what he will do this season.
Isiah Pacheco Issues Strong Message to the NFL Prior to the Start of the 2025 Season
Last year, Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2. This injury sidelined the 26-year-old until Week 13. Upon his return, he didn’t have the best performances. In five regular-season games after the injury, Pacheco tallied 49 carries for 175 yards, which is an average of 3.5 yards per carry.
During the postseason, he was even worse, recording 13 rushes for 37 yards in three games. Clearly, he wasn’t himself, lacking his signature “angry runs”. That reality is what makes his declaration so meaningful. Pacheco knows he wasn’t at full strength, and now he’s ready to remind everyone why he quickly became a fan favorite.
In his first two NFL seasons, the former seventh-round pick tallied 375 carries for 1,765 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite Kansas City’s heavy reliance on the pass those two seasons, Pacheco averaged 4.7 yards per carry. He achieved this with his hard-nosed running style that created “angry runs”.
The way he played quickly made him a fan favorite within Chiefs Kingdom, which is why fans missed him last year. Without a healthy Pacheco in 2024, the Chiefs’ run game was even less explosive than it is when he’s healthy.
Therefore, Chiefs Kingdom should be excited to see what a fully healthy Pacheco can do behind a revamped offensive line. Their first challenge comes in around 24 hours in Brazil against the Chargers.
