Veteran Running Back Isiah Pacheco Strengthens physique for critical Contract Season
Running back Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs is focusing on regaining lost strength following an injury-marred 2024 season, aiming to add "good weight" for the upcoming 2025 season. Pacheco, who hails from Vineland, New Jersey, has been working tirelessly to build muscle mass and improve his performance through rigorous offseason training routines.
In 2024, Pacheco finished under 4.0 yards per carry for the first time in his three-year career in the NFL, managing just 310 yards in seven games after suffering a broken right fibula against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week Two. This marked a significant setback for the versatile running back, who had been a vital component in the Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning teams.
Pacheco has returned to his roots to achieve his weight gain goal, working out at his local YMCA. He previously weighed around 200 pounds during his injury-affected season, considerably lighter than the 216 pounds listed on his roster. However, he declined to reveal any specific target weight for the upcoming season.
As Pacheco strives to regain his pre-injury form, the Chiefs have bolstered their running back room with several additions. They have signed former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, re-signed Kareem Hunt, and drafted running back Brashard Smith, a converted wide receiver.
Talking about the expanded running back unit, Pacheco expressed his enthusiasm, calling it "phenomenal." Smith, like Pacheco, was a seventh-round pick, but he made an impact in his rookie year with the Chiefs, starting 11 games and rushing for 830 yards during Super Bowl LVII.
Pacheco's pursuit of self-improvement extends beyond his football career. He recently completed his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, studying criminal justice. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes commended Pacheco's commitment to bettering himself and his community, stating, "He wants to make not only himself better for the community but generations to come in his family. That's special."
As Pacheco enters the final season of his rookie deal with the Chiefs, he is poised to make a strong statement and secure his future in the NFL. His offseason focus and dedication to enhancing his performance will play a crucial role in determining his success in 2025.
In the upcoming 2025 NFL season, Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has been recovering from an injury-marred 2024 season, will face off against teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, under the guidance of coach Andy Reid. Pacheco's improved performance on the football field, following a rigorous offseason training regimen, will be crucial for the Chiefs in their pursuit of success in American-football, a key sports branch of the NFL.
