Isiah Pacheco is receiving positive feedback from Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid as he prepares for the 2025 season, following a difficult 2024 campaign marked by a fractured fibula. The team has noticed Pacheco’s significant progress in regaining weight and improving his physical condition, which is crucial for his role in the offense.
Chiefs Coach Highlights Pacheco’s Physical Improvement
After an offseason focused on rebuilding his strength, Pacheco has added muscle weight that he lost during last year’s injury recovery. Reid remarked on the noticeable changes in Pacheco’s physique, stating,
He looks good. Physically, he looks real good,
and continued,
He’s put on a couple pounds of good weight. He’d gotten himself down there a little bit last year and leaned up, but, man, I think he looks tremendous right now.
Pacheco Discusses Challenges and Progress in His Comeback
Pacheco acknowledged that his weight dropped to an undesired level during rehabilitation. Speaking to the Kansas City Star, he emphasized his commitment to regaining his previous form, saying,
Just going back to 216, 4.37 Isiah Pacheco-style.
He also described the difficulties of gaining weight during the season:
You’re out there working your tail off and just sweating every day and not eating enough to get the weight back,
before adding,
There’s not going to be as much time to gain weight during the season, rather than the offseason and the whole program that they have here for us.
Impact of 2024 Injury on Pacheco and Chiefs’ Offense
Pacheco’s fractured fibula caused him to miss nine games in 2024, severely limiting his ability to contribute to Kansas City’s ground attack. This injury hindered his efforts to return to his pre-injury form, placing additional pressure on the team’s running game during the season. Despite these challenges, Pacheco showed flashes of the talent that made him a key player for the Chiefs.
Looking Ahead: Pacheco’s Role in Kansas City’s Championship Aspirations
As a seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers, Pacheco quickly proved himself as a vital part of the Chiefs’ offense, especially with his aggressive running style and speed. With his health improving and weight gains solidified, he appears poised to reclaim his position as the team’s primary running back. This progress should bolster Kansas City’s chances to remain competitive and contend for another Super Bowl title in the coming season.