Detroit has found David Montgomery's replacement.
The Lions are signing running back Isiah Pacheco, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per a source informed of the deal. Terms of the contract have not yet been reported.
Detroit was in the market for a veteran backup to Jahmyr Gibbs after agreeing to trade Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
A seventh-round pick in 2022, Pacheco generated 2,537 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. His best campaign came in 2023, when he galloped for 935 yards and seven scores on 205 totes. The past two seasons, injuries have sapped some of his juice, and the running back has missed 14 games. He carried the ball 118 times for 462 yards and one score in 2025.
At his best, Pacheco runs angry and brought Energizer Bunny quality to Andy Reid's offense. The question is whether he has juice left in the tank after his explosive run rate trailed off.
If healthy, he can offer physicality behind Gibbs, giving the Lions a violent runner who can spell their dynamic three-down back. Another question is whether Detroit will ask him to take some of the third-down and goal-line carries Montgomery took. In the past two seasons, Pacheco took just 9 totes for 15 yards and one score on third and short (1-2 yards) or fourth down with -8 rush yards over expected, per Next Gen Stats. In 2025, he had zero goal-line carries and took three in 2024 for one total yard and one score.
Pacheco provides the type of grit Dan Campbell wants from his players. However, the signing is a further indication that Gibbs' workload should continue to rise.
