Isiah Pacheco Adds Muscle to Play His Style in 2025 After Injury, Weight Loss in 2024

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco revealed that he bulked up during the 2025 offseason following an injury-plagued 2024 campaign.

"Just going back to 216, 4.37 Isiah Pacheco-style," Pacheco said regarding his goal with his weight gain, per Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star (h/t NFL.com's Bobby Kownack).

The 26-year-old weighed in at 216 pounds while running the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

Pacheco wasn't at the same weight to end his 2024 season, missing nine straight games from Week 3 through Week 12 due to a fractured right fibula. He revealed that it was difficult for him to gain weight during the year.

"You're out there working your tail off and just sweating every day and not eating enough to get the weight back," Pacheco said, via Newell. "There's not going to be as much time to gain weight during the season, rather than the offseason and the whole program that they have here for us."

The former Rutgers standout exceeded expectations immediately after the Chiefs added him with a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, establishing himself as a starter in Week 7 of his rookie season.

He utilized his physical running style to pick up 830 rush yards in 2022 and followed it up with 1,179 yards from scrimmage as well as nine touchdowns in 2023, playing a crucial role on Kansas City teams that won consecutive Super Bowl titles.

While Pacheco returned from his leg injury before the end of the 2024 season, he wasn't as productive. He rushed for a mere 175 yards in five games following his return, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Pacheco also recorded just 37 yards on 13 carries during the Chiefs' ensuing playoff run, which ended with a Super Bowl defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

As Pacheco prepares for the 2025 season, he's getting back into the same shape he was in as a rookie.