Before free agency started this offseason, the Detroit Lions made a big move that was agreed to by both parties. They agreed to trade running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, as the running back room took a blow in losing a former starter. Losing Montgomery created a massive hole at the backup running back spot, leaving fans wondering who the team could replace him with.
On the second day of legal tampering in the 2026 offseason, the Lions found his replacement in former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco is coming off an injury-filled 2025 season where he moved down the depth chart, and with the team agree to terms with Kenneth Walker on Monday, the writing was on the wall that it was time for both sides to move on. With the addition of Pacheco to the roster, how do the Lions benefit from it? Let me get into how Pacheco fits, his cost, and the role he has for the team in 2026.
Isiah Pacheco’s fit for the team
With Montgomery gone, it felt like the team lost out on not just having a solid running back who can start, but also the power back of the team. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is known for his speed and agility compared to power, despite having some strength to his game. There were certain situations where Montgomery would come in and play, where Gibbs wouldn’t be the best option for that.
Pacheco gives Detroit that role player once again. In 2023, Pacheco broke a career-high 15 tackles. While those are still lower than what Montgomery had in 2023 and 2024 (17 and 19), Montgomery only had three in 2025. Pacheco can be the power back the team is looking for and a solid complementary option for Gibbs in the backfield. Pacheco isn’t only a power back; he has some speed to his game, running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He can also catch the ball, getting a career-high 44 catches in 2023.
Grade: A-
Pacheco’s role/talent level
While the fit is good, Pacheco is certainly not a replica of Montgomery. The biggest difference between the two is their durability. In the past three years, Montgomery has missed six games, playing in every game in 2025. Pacheco, on the other hand, has had some difficult injuries in his career so far.
Despite overcoming a hand and shoulder injury in his rookie year in 2022, he would miss two games in 2023 due to a shoulder injury, the same shoulder he had surgery on in 2022. In 2024, Pacheco suffered a broken right fibula, ending his season and missing 10 games. In 2025, Pacheco would suffer an MCL sprain and miss four games. With his availability being limited, he saw his role as the starter get moved back to the backup as Kareem Hunt took over the starting role.
Now, despite his injuries, Pacheco is still a talented player. In 2023, Pacheco was ranked 18th in rushing with an 80.2 grade according to PFF and was ranked 40th in pass blocking with a grade of 67.4 that same year, showcasing the ability for him to run the ball well, but also block for his quarterback, too. Last year, Pacheco ran for 462 yards on 118 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, only finding the end zone once. He caught 19 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown as well.
Pacheco’s last two seasons have been a step back from what his first two years were, as the injuries have started to pile up, but with a fresh start and a full year off from that leg injury suffered in 2024, this could be the year he returns to form. Serious injuries like that seem to take over a year to fully heal. We saw defensive tackle Alim McNeill and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez seemingly take a step back in 2025, and you could argue EDGE Aidan Hutchinson wasn’t himself either in 2025.
Role/talent grade: B
Are the Lions getting good value in Pacheco?
Absolutely, the Lions are getting great value for a former starting running back. At $1.81 million for a year, Pacheco is going to make under what projections had him making. His injury history affected his cost I’m sure, and it’s a perfect prove-it deal for both sides.
If Pacheco doesn’t work out, it was a fair attempt by the Lions to give him a shot. If it does, the team could give him a two or three-year deal in 2027 that pays him more, or he’ll leave and become a starter elsewhere and get paid handsomely.
Value grade: A+
Overall
This move was one of the best options this team could’ve gotten at the backup running back spot. Both sides like this deal because the Lions are only invested in Pacheco for a season. If he gets hurt, they can move on. For Pacheco, it’s a prove-it deal. If he succeeds in 2026, he has a chance to get a solid contract as a starter again.
I don’t think this move eliminates running back from the NFL Draft board come April, as the team could take a running back with a similar playing style to Pacheco in the fifth, sixth, or seventh round, and the Lions could hope to have him develop into the complementary role in 2027.
For now, this signing is just what this offense needed. A running back who can step in and be a starter if needed, and someone who isn’t afraid of contact to be that short-yardage back. Not only does he have power, but Pacheco also has speed to break away from coverage and catch passes. And don’t think that because he’s a little bit smaller than Montgomery that he won’t challenge a blitzing linebacker and get in his way. Pacheco is a player who can do anything you ask him to do.
If he can stay healthy, this can be a great addition to the team. He gives the team options and, in two running back sets, has defenses wondering who is getting the ball. This move is the best Detroit has made yet, and something fans should be excited to see come September.
Overall grade: A-
See More:
