Everything in Kansas City is pointing toward a complete overhaul of the backfield.
After years of hosting the NFL's least imposing ground game, the Chiefs simply cannot afford to go into another year with minimal investments at running back. Patrick Mahomes is doing his best to recover from a torn ACL and MCL, but his timeline puts the start of the season in jeopardy, and he was carrying too heavy an offensive burden as it is.
That points to a completely new approach to running back in 2026, one that steers away from the traditional moves of a veteran rebound and/or a seventh-round draft pick for general manager Brett Veach. And as the door revolves at the position, it feels rather obvious that Isiah Pacheco is good as gone heading into a new year.
The Chiefs are clearly ready to turn the page in the backfield, which means Isiah Pacheco is a safe bet to leave in 2026.
The Chiefs selected Pacheco in the final round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Rutgers, and for his first two seasons, he was one of the team's biggest surprises. Pacheco actually led the Chiefs in rushing for two seasons, but injuries really limited his availability and lowered his ceiling in his final two years with the team.
Pacheco is currently at No. 14 on the Chiefs' all-time rushing list (2,537 rushing yards), and his ability to not only make the team but generate such solid production is something that should be celebrated during a historic era for the franchise. Unfortunately, the lack of talent around him was part of what enabled him to earn so much playing time, and the disdain for Pacheco and company on the part of fans has so much more to do with the front office than anything personal for the veteran.
But there's a reason why Jeremiyah Love is consistently connected with the Chiefs in early mock drafts, or why the team is constantly linked with Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker in free agent predictions. It wouldn't surprise anyone if the unit looked completely different next year with only Brashard Smith guaranteed to return in 2026. Kareem Hunt is also a free agent, as is Dameon Pierce, and he didn't even play down the stretch.
Pacheco deserves credit for blossoming into a meaningful role for a team that won multiple championships, but he was also saddled with a greater opportunity than he should have received. The Chiefs have needed to bolster the running back role for many years now, and 2026 will finally see the investments made. That means Pacheco is a safe bet to be playing elsewhere next season.