The Detroit Lions have officially found their replacement for David Montgomery, securing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco on a one-year, $1.81 million contract.
The deal, finalized on Wednesday, marks a fresh start for the 27-year-old following two seasons marred by significant lower-body injuries.
Pacheco‘s departure from Kansas City became inevitable earlier this week when the Chiefs signed reigning Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III to a massive three-year, $45 million contract.
Isiah Pacheco steals the show by imitating new Lions coach Dan Campbell during presentation
During his introductory press conference on Thursday, Pacheco revealed that he chose Detroit over seven other interested teams, including a late offer to return to the Chiefs, because of an immediate connection with head coach Dan Campbell.
The arrival of “Pop” in Detroit signals the end of the “Sonic and Knuckles” era, as the Lions recently traded David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks.
Montgomery left Detroit with a historic legacy, joining the likes of Barry Sanders and Billy Sims as one of the few players in franchise history to record over 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns in just three seasons.
Overcoming a “brutal” two-year stretch
For Pacheco, the move to Detroit is a “revenge tour” following a series of setbacks that sapped his efficiency in Kansas City. After helping the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl titles (LVII and LVIII), his momentum was halted by a fractured fibula in Week 2 of the 2024 season.
Although he returned late that year, he struggled to regain his signature burst. The 2025 season was equally difficult; Pacheco suffered a severe MCL sprain in late October against the Commanders, which sidelined him until Thanksgiving.
He finished his final year in Kansas City with a career-low 462 rushing yards and just one touchdown, leading the Chiefs to prioritize a healthy, elite option in Kenneth Walker III.
“Ah, man, our first conversation, I was screaming on the phone,” Pacheco told reporters, giggling as he mimicked Dan Campbell‘s gravelly voice. “‘Ahhh, let’s go! I’m ready to go! Put me in!’ He’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, Pacheco, what number are you going? Are you going with 10?'”