The Detroit Lions have found a replacement for departed running back David Montgomery, agreeing to sign Isiah Pacheco, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday.
Contract terms have not yet been disclosed. Detroit entered the market for a veteran running back after trading Montgomery to the Houston Texans, looking for a physical complement to starter Jahmyr Gibbs.
A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco spent the first four seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, rushing for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2023, when he ran for 935 yards and seven scores on 205 carries.
Injuries have slowed Pacheco over the past two seasons, however, as he missed 14 games during that span. In 2025 he carried the ball 118 times for 462 yards and one touchdown.
At his best, Pacheco brings a hard-charging, physical running style that energized the Chiefs’ offense under head coach Andy Reid. Detroit hopes that edge fits the identity of coach Dan Campbell while giving the Lions a bruising option behind Gibbs.
If healthy, Pacheco could take on some of the short-yardage or goal-line responsibilities previously handled by Montgomery. The signing also suggests Detroit may continue to expand Gibbs’ workload as the team reshapes its backfield heading into the 2026 season.
