Being an NFL general manager is obviously a job. But that doesn’t mean people in that position ever stop being fans of the game. That was at least the case for Detroit Lions‘ Brad Holmes when it came to running back Isiah Pacheco.
The Lions general manager explained on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday how much he and head coach Dan Campbell loved the running back while he played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Me and Dan have always been big fans of Pacheco,” said Holmes. “It’s his mindset and his intent in how he runs.
“It’s hard to get yards in this league, and those holes close up quick. If you have the right mindset, you can get a lot of hidden yards — if you just have a little bit more desire.
In four seasons with the Chiefs, Pacheco averaged 4.4 yards per carry. Overall, he ran for 2,537 yards in 51 games.
Pacheco also caught 88 passes for 554 yards. He scored 17 touchdowns as well.
Brad Holmes Loves How Isiah Pacheco Will Fit With Lions
With the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs, veteran running back David Montgomery became expendable in Detroit. This offseason, the Lions dealt Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
But it sounds as though Holmes doesn’t want to lose what Montgomery brought to the table.
Over three seasons with the Lions, Montgomery was a rugged, tough presence in the backfield. He scored 25 rushing touchdowns in his first 28 games with the club. More important than scoring, though, he set a tone and perfectly complimented the playmaking ability Gibbs possesses in space.
Holmes sees Pacheco filling the Montgomery role in Detroit’s 2026 offense.
“I think he’s going to be a really good complement,” Holmes added. “Always been a fan from afar, just love how he runs [since] he’s been in the league. And we don’t expect anything different to being a really good complement to Jahmyr.”
Pacheco began his NFL career with a pair of 800-yard rushing seasons. The past two years, though, he hasn’t been as healthy or productive.
Last season, he rushed for 462 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, in 13 games. Pacheco will be aiming to bounce back on a 1-year contract in Detroit.
Lions GM Issues Strong Statement on New Detroit RB Isiah Pacheco