Perhaps nobody in the Detroit Lions organization can relate to Isiah Pacheco better than the man who directly supervises him. Once upon a time, earlier this century, Tashard Choice played in the shadows of teammates who plied their trade carrying the ball just like he did. A career backup who had stints with four different NFL franchises, Choice learned to set aside his ego and prepare diligently as if he were the starter.
“The simple fact is whenever you get your opportunities,” the Lions’ second-year running backs coach said, “you’ve got to make the most of them.”
Choice has communicated that message to Pacheco, the former Kansas City Chiefs RB signed this offseason to fill the void left by David Montgomery after he was traded to the Houston Texans in early March. During three seasons with the Lions, Montgomery became known as the burly sidekick to Jahmyr Gibbs, one of the league’s emerging stars. Pacheco was not viewed the same way when he arrived in Allen Park. Instead of being welcomed as Gibbs’ new wingman, he was immediately pigeonholed as the clear No. 2 behind him.
That was made even more obvious earlier this month, when Lions coach Dan Campbell declared Gibbs is “going to be our bell cow now.”
It was already trending in that direction last season, Campbell acknowledged. That wasn’t breaking news to anyone who followed the team during its disappointing slog toward a 9-8 record. Over that 18-week stretch, Gibbs averaged nearly twice as many touches as Montgomery − that followed a pair of seasons in which their workload was almost evenly split. This new arrangement – and how different it was from the original setup – irked Montgomery, who grew frustrated as he became increasingly marginalized. Soon after the season ended, the Lions concluded they had no other choice but to break up dynamic duo nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles,” so that they could create a new backfield structure that left no ambiguity in whether the electrifying Gibbs would be the frontman. Montgomery was eventually shipped off, and 10 days later, the hard-running Pacheco came aboard with the firm understanding he would play second fiddle to Gibbs.
“Whatever I can do to contribute … it’s going to happen,” Pacheco said at his introductory news conference in March.
Three months into his tenure in Detroit, Pacheco’s team-first mindset hasn’t changed.
“Just be ready at all times,’ he said in one breath.
“Everybody plays a part,” he added in another.
But Pacheco’s role is different than the one he held in Kansas City, where he started 85% of the time. In his first two seasons, he led the Chiefs in touches, averaging 13.9 per game. Then injuries began to take a toll. He fractured his right fibula in 2024, missing nine games. Last season, he suffered an MCL sprain in the same leg and was sidelined for a month. His performance declined, and he produced just 3.8 yards per attempt over the past two years – as Kareem Hunt leapfrogged him as the team’s top rusher.
By the time his tenure in Kansas City ended, Pacheco had become expendable. But here in Detroit, he wants to make himself indispensable. The Lions hope he does.
“He’s gonna have to play big for us,” Choice said.
After all, Campbell said, “We’re going to ask a lot of Pacheco.”
Just how much is uncertain.
Yet, Pacheco is acting as if he is Gibbs’ understudy, carrying out all the same tasks the Lions’ versatile running back typically performs and taking “mental reps” when he’s watching him off to the side.
“Who knows if I’m in those situations as well?” Pacheco said.
As a backup, Pacheco can’t say for certain he ever will be. But just as his position coach once did in his previous life, Pacheco is preparing for the possibility. It’s the right approach, Choice said.
“Because,” Choice explained, “you always know you’re one play away.”
Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com. Follow him @RainerSabin on X.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions RB Isiah Pacheco prepped to play second fiddle to Jahmyr Gibbs
Reporting by Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
