DETROIT - The Detroit Lions signed running back Isiah Pacheco for the 2026 season on Tuesday, adding the two-time Super Bowl champion to a revamped backfield. The move comes as the Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for interior offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
The acquisition of Pacheco is part of a broader offensive overhaul under new Detroit coordinator Drew Petzing. Along with Pacheco and Scruggs, the Lions reached a deal with center Cade Mays during the first day of the free agency negotiating period to address needs following the release of linemen Graham Glasgow and Taylor Decker.
Kansas City originally selected Pacheco out of Rutgers in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 251 overall pick. During his rookie season, he led the Chiefs in rushing and scored the opening touchdown of the second half in Super Bowl 57, a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pacheco maintained his role as the team’s primary rusher in 2023, recording 935 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He added nearly 250 receiving yards and two additional touchdowns that season as the Chiefs won a second consecutive championship.
The following two seasons were marked by significant injuries that limited Pacheco’s availability. He suffered a fractured fibula in the second week of the 2024 season and dealt with a knee injury throughout 2025. Between those two campaigns, he appeared in 20 games.
Following these injuries, Pacheco’s efficiency declined to an average of under four yards per carry in both 2024 and 2025. During those two years, he totaled 772 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In 2025, Pacheco received 118 carries, which was 40 fewer than the 158 carries Montgomery recorded for the Lions that same year.
Pacheco will work under new coordinator Petzing, who previously oversaw consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons for James Conner in 2023 and 2024. The Lions’ front office intends for Pacheco to provide a powerful running style to complement Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Kansas City Chiefs adjusted their own backfield following Pacheco’s departure. The team signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to lead their running back room for the upcoming 2026 season.
Terms of Pacheco’s contract with the Lions have not yet been announced.