If you blink, you might miss him. At least that’s what the Chiefs Kingdom wants out of Isiah Pacheco. But the 2024 season was not ‘it’. Sure, he’s got the acumen to melt your eyes if you’re watching him. After all, Pacheco runs like he’s got a personal grudge against gravity, pinballing off defenders like they owe him money. But as the Chiefs march into 2025, his role might look a little different. Not just the bruising, relentless RB we’re used to—but something… more.

And KC? Well, they’re making sure he gets his due. Maybe a parting gift… Not speculating anything, when the noise has been loud enough already. 

The Chiefs just dropped the news: This year’s Ed Block Courage Award goes to none other than Isiah Pacheco. Well deserved? Absolutely. “Pop” doesn’t just run hard—he plays like his contract depends on every single yard. And his girl knows that.

Pacheco’s playoff run wasn’t exactly legendary. Turns out, missing most of the season with injuries—including a broken fibula and a rib issue—doesn’t exactly scream: ‘Reliable’. Back in September, Patrick Mahomes said: “I’m excited for the comeback, man, because he’s going to come back ready to go whenever he gets back.”

Oh, Isiah did come back. But only to drop 310 rushing yards and one touchdown in seven games. UFF! And soon the fans’ fears turned into reality. By the time he returned, the rust was impossible to ignore. The same guy who once ran like he was late to a fight looked, well, human. And in a league where running backs age in dog years, that’s a problem.

Andy Reid can’t rely wholly and solely on Isiah Pacheco

For the first two years, Isiah Pacheco did run with conviction and true to the Kingdom’s expectations out of him. 1,765 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a Super Bowl ring to show for it. A seventh-round steal? More like a jackpot. But heading into 2025, the ground beneath him isn’t as solid. Injuries, a shifting backfield, and a deep draft class have put his role under the microscope.

And now? The Chiefs can’t afford to lean on him alone. Kansas City knows this. They watched Saquon Barkley help the Eagles hoist a Lombardi. They saw Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones change games for their teams. And they saw what happens when a backfield lacks depth. Pacheco’s broken fibula in week 2 forced him to miss nine games.

Obviously, he won’t be the same guy upon his comeback. And he wasn’t… Picture this: a 3.5 YPC clip and just 37 yards in the playoffs? That’s not what you expect from your lead back. If Pacheco had stayed healthy, maybe we’re talking about an extension. Instead, KC might be scanning the draft board or free agency for reinforcements.

Kareem Hunt was their best back last year—and he wasn’t even on a roster in September. Nate Taylor of The Athletic put it bluntly: “Mahomes accounted for 72.5% of the offense’s yards… That shouldn’t happen again.” No kidding. Mahomes can’t keep shouldering this much of the offense. Whether it’s a veteran signing or a draft pick, Andy Reid and Co. have to give Pacheco help. Otherwise, 2025 could look a lot like last year… All fanfare ending in a heartbreak!