While the Kansas City Chiefs offense, the hallmark of their burgeoning dynasty has sputtered all season long, one bright spot in that attack has been the continual growth and effectiveness of Isiah Pacheco. For a team as heavily reliant through the air making passes by Patrick Mahomes, the elevation of Pacheco has given some wiggle room to their playbook. Moreover, if the trend for their offense continues, it might be their only saving grace.
Despite a late selection, right at the tail-end of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco has quickly become a vital, integral part of the Kansas City lineup. During his rookie season, he got limited opportunities to begin the year. However, throughout the season, he would earn the trust of his teammates and more importantly, coach Andy Reid. 6 weeks into the year, Pacheco would make his first NFL start.
Just 4 weeks later, he would tally his career high with 107 yards against divisional rival, Los Angeles Chargers. Despite starting the season with limited playing time, Pacheco quickly became a dominant force to be reckoned with. For the year, he would finish with the most total scrimmage yards for a 7th-round drafted rookie. With 830 yards as a rusher and an additional 130 as a receiver, Pacheco seamlessly fit into the Kansas City attack.
Throughout the postseason, he would continue to showcase his value, with his “cartoonish” running style immediately catching everyone’s eye. For the playoffs, he would total almost 200 yards through 3 games, including a 76-yard, 1-touchdown performance in the Super Bowl that helped propel the Chiefs to victory.
His second season, however, has seen immense growth from Pacheco. While the receivers continuing to drop catches has become a recurring theme for the season for the Chiefs, Pacheco’s consistency has been a shining light. Despite missing multiple games due to injury, Pacheco has been sensational carrying the ball, totaling 935 yards. With the final week of the season serving as de-facto Bye, it remains to be seen if his heroics can once again help the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory.
Isiah Pacheco College
The youngest of five siblings, Pacheco, after recruitment to major programs like Syracuse, Maryland, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, and other programs, would eventually commit to Rutgers.
During his 4-year stay at the college, Pacheco would showcase some obvious potential. However, his time there could be best described as mediocre. With a size and stature a shade under what is necessary to handle the physicality of the NFL and the running back position, a truly transcendent run at the collegiate level was the only option for a high draft slot for Pacheco. However, over his tenure, his numbers would remain remarkably unchanged, hovering around the 550-600 rushing yards mark, and peaking in 2019 with 729.
But, what finally got him through the draft was a spectacular performance at the Combine. Whether it was a 4.37-second 40-yard dash or an equally impressive 1.49 seconds on the 10-yard split, his numbers were truly standout across the board. As a result, the Chiefs took a chance on him right at the tail-end of the draft, in the seventh round with the 251st overall pick.
FAQs on Isiah Pacheco
Q: What happened to Isiah Pacheco’s family?
A: During his time in high school, Isiah Pacheco and his family had to traverse some truly hard times. Within a year, Pacheco lost two of his siblings. First, his elder brother was the victim of a stabbing in his Bridgeton apartment building in 2016. Then, a year later, his sister Celeste Cannon, would suffer a similar tragedy. A fatal gunshot to the head led to her body being discovered in her Millville home. To honor them, he has a tattoo on his right arm.
A: During his time in high school, Isiah Pacheco and his family had to traverse some truly hard times. Within a year, Pacheco lost two of his siblings. First, his elder brother was the victim of a stabbing in his Bridgeton apartment building in 2016. Then, a year later, his sister Celeste Cannon, would suffer a similar tragedy. A fatal gunshot to the head led to her body being discovered in her Millville home. To honor them, he has a tattoo on his right arm.
Q: Why is Isiah Pacheco called pop?
A: Isiah Pacheco was given the “Pop” nickname by his teammates because it was a sound he would make during his time in a youth football league.
A: Isiah Pacheco was given the “Pop” nickname by his teammates because it was a sound he would make during his time in a youth football league.
Q: Where did Isiah Pacheco grow up?
A: Isiah Pacheco was born and brought up in Vineland, New Jersey.
A: Isiah Pacheco was born and brought up in Vineland, New Jersey.
Q: What ethnicity is Isiah Pacheco?
A: Isiah Pacheco is of Puerto Rican descent from his father, Julio Pacheco’s side.
A: Isiah Pacheco is of Puerto Rican descent from his father, Julio Pacheco’s side.
Q: How long is Isiah Pacheco’s contract?
A: Isiah Pacheco is in the second year of his four-year rookie-scale contract with the Kansas City Chiefs that he signed in 2022 after being drafted by the 251st overall pick in the 7th round of that year’s draft.
A: Isiah Pacheco is in the second year of his four-year rookie-scale contract with the Kansas City Chiefs that he signed in 2022 after being drafted by the 251st overall pick in the 7th round of that year’s draft.
