The breakout season of Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco was a pleasant surprise for the team last year. The former seventh-round pick defied the odds and exceeded expectations, becoming the starter midway through his rookie season without looking back.
Pacheco was slowed for most of the offseason due to surgery but continued to be very vocal on the sidelines. He has since been seen practicing at training camp and returning to playing shape after recovery. The former Rutgers stand-out spoke with the media on Monday following practice, venting his frustration for being in a yellow non-contact jersey that effectively limits him in workouts.
“It’s very frustrating,” Pacheco explained. “But you know, when you’re on the side, and you’re getting those mental reps, you just detailing and getting those reps in the back asking coach was this play during those mental reps in the back, it allows me to stay on top of my task, I just come out here to work, and they know they’re gonna get a lot of energy out of me. So if it’s either I’m in the yellow jersey or the red jersey, you’re still gonna get in 2023.”
During his rookie year, Pacheco was also the primary kick returner while maintaining the starting running back role. He will be counted on heavily again this season, but with the emergence of young talents like Deneric Prince, Rashee Rice, and Justyn Ross, the Chiefs will have more special teams options to lighten the load.
