Isiah Pacheco is an American professional football running back who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his first two seasons with the Chiefs, Pacheco won Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII, becoming the only running back in NFL history to win two Super Bowls in his first two professional seasons. He signed with the Detroit Lions in March 2026.
Isiah Pacheco Bio
Isiah Pacheco, nicknamed “Pop,” was born on March 2, 1999, in Vineland, New Jersey. He emerged from humble beginnings in southern New Jersey to become an NFL champion. Pacheco played both quarterback and running back at Vineland High School before committing to Rutgers University. His relentless running style and durability despite injuries have defined his professional career. He was drafted 251st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft and quickly became a key component of the Kansas City Chiefs backfield, helping the team capture back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
Early Life and Background
Pacheco was born in Vineland, New Jersey, to Felicia Cannon and Julio Pacheco. He is the youngest of five siblings. His father is of Puerto Rican descent, and his mother is of African-American descent. Growing up in Vineland, Pacheco played Pop Warner Football for the Vineland Blitz in Cumberland County, New Jersey, where he began developing the physical running style that would characterize his career.
At Vineland High School, Pacheco played both quarterback and running back for the Fighting Clan. During his senior year, he delivered a dominating performance to win the Thanksgiving Day Classic rivalry game against Millville Senior High School. His dual-position versatility and competitive drive caught the attention of college scouts across the East Coast.
Path to the NFL
Pacheco received significant recruiting interest from major college football programs, including Syracuse, Maryland, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech. He ultimately committed to Rutgers University on June 21, 2017, choosing to stay close to home and develop his skills in the Big Ten Conference. His commitment to Rutgers laid the foundation for his professional aspirations.
During his four collegiate seasons from 2018 to 2021, Pacheco became a consistent playmaker for the Scarlet Knights. He rushed 563 times for 2,442 yards with an average of 4.3 yards per carry and scored 18 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver with 47 catches for 249 yards and one receiving touchdown. His most productive single-game performance came on August 20, 2019, when he carried the ball 20 times for 156 yards and four touchdowns against Massachusetts. To raise his draft profile, Pacheco participated in both the 2022 Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl, premier college all-star games showcasing NFL prospects.
Isiah Pacheco Career
Kansas City Chiefs (2022–2025)
Pacheco was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round with the 251st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring his first career NFL rushing touchdown on a 3-yard run. He earned his first career start in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. A standout performance came in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he rushed for a career-high 107 yards on 15 carries.
As a rookie, Pacheco finished the regular season with 830 rushing yards and 130 receiving yards, totaling 960 scrimmage yards with five touchdowns. He also returned 29 kickoffs for 597 yards. In Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pacheco served as the starting running back and contributed 76 yards and a touchdown in the 38–35 victory. Remarkably, he played through a torn labrum and broken hand that required surgery after the game.
2023 Breakthrough Season
The 2023 season marked Pacheco’s emergence as a reliable starting running back. In Week 4 against the Jets, he recorded 158 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown. He scored two rushing touchdowns in Week 12 against the Raiders and compiled 130 rushing yards with a receiving touchdown in Week 17 against the Bengals. He appeared in 14 games with 13 starts, finishing the season with 935 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to complement 244 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Pacheco scored a rushing touchdown in each of the Chiefs’ first three playoff games that season. His second Super Bowl victory came in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, a 25–22 win that made the Chiefs the first team to repeat as champions since the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004. Pacheco rushed for 59 yards and recorded six catches for 33 yards in the championship game.
2024–2025 Seasons
Pacheco returned as the Chiefs’ starting running back in 2024. However, his season was interrupted when he suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2, resulting in placement on injured reserve on September 18, 2024. He was activated on November 28, 2024, and returned to action in Week 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished the 2024 season with 310 rushing yards and one touchdown in seven games. In Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles, Pacheco recorded 12 scrimmage yards in the 40–22 loss.
The 2025 season saw Pacheco compile 462 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on 118 carries, along with 19 receptions for 101 yards and one receiving touchdown. He completed his tenure with the Chiefs having rushing for 2,537 career yards with a 4.4 average and 14 rushing touchdowns, plus 554 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns across 88 receptions.
Detroit Lions (2026–present)
On March 12, 2026, Pacheco signed a one-year contract worth $1.81 million with the Detroit Lions, joining his new team for the 2026 season. He wears jersey number 10 for the Lions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pacheco is known for his physical, aggressive running style that consistently gains yards after initial contact. His lower-body strength and balance allow him to break tackles in short-yardage situations while maintaining enough speed to reach the edges on stretch plays. His durability and willingness to contribute on special teams enhanced his value to coaching staffs throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pacheco’s most significant career milestone remains becoming the only running back in NFL history to win two Super Bowls in his first two professional seasons. His Super Bowl LVII performance, achieved while playing through injury, demonstrated the toughness that defined his early career. His rookie season statistics and immediate impact in a high-profile offense positioned him as a foundational piece for the Chiefs’ rushing attack.
Isiah Pacheco Career Wins
Across four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Pacheco established himself as a productive dual-threat running back with consistent touchdown production and key contributions in playoff victories.
NFL Highlights
During his NFL career through the 2025 season, Pacheco recorded 2,537 rushing yards on 583 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns and 88 receptions for 554 receiving yards with 3 receiving touchdowns. His rookie season featured a career-high 107-yard rushing performance against the Chargers. The 2023 season proved most productive with 935 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns plus receiving scores. His playoff production included rushing touchdowns in each of the Chiefs’ first three playoff games during the 2023 postseason.
College Achievements
At Rutgers, Pacheco rushed for 2,442 yards on 563 carries with 18 touchdowns over four seasons. His standout performance against Massachusetts in 2019 showcased his ability to dominate games with 156 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 20 carries.
| Competition Level | Rushing Yards | Carries | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2022–2025) | 2,537 | 583 | 14 | 88 | 554 | 3 |
| College (Rutgers) | 2,442 | 563 | 18 | 47 | 249 | 1 |
Isiah Pacheco Family
Family Background
Pacheco’s family has been a source of both motivation and tragedy throughout his life. His father Julio Pacheco and mother Felicia Cannon raised him and his four siblings in Vineland, New Jersey. His heritage includes Puerto Rican ancestry through his father and African-American ancestry through his mother.
Personal Life
Pacheco has endured significant personal loss. His brother Travoise Cannon was killed in January 2016, and his sister Celeste Cannon was murdered in September 2017. He honors their memory through tattoos on his right arm depicting their images alongside symbols representing his roots, including tattoos honoring New Jersey, Vineland High School, and Rutgers University. Despite these tragedies, Pacheco has spoken about using his faith and football career as paths toward a positive future.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Pacheco’s final year with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with the Detroit Lions in March 2026. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games with the Chiefs, compiling 462 rushing yards on 118 carries with one rushing touchdown. His receiving contributions included 19 catches for 101 yards and one touchdown. While his rushing totals decreased from his 2023 peak, he remained a reliable contributor in the Chiefs offense and maintained his reputation as a physical runner willing to do whatever the team required.