Photo Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images.

David Montgomery was traded to Houston last week, and the Lions created a big hole at the running back position by doing so. In my opinion, the trade makes a ton of sense. However, we wont get into that now. Check out my full article on that here.

The Lions signed former Super Bowl Champion back Isaiah Pacheco to a one-year deal worth $1.8 million, seemingly replacing David Montgomery with the ex-Chief.

Pacheco, 27, is coming off of back to back down years. In 2024, he saw just 83 carries for 310 yards, an average of 3.7 yards, and one touchdown. He had a little bit better production the following year, with 118 carries for 462 yards, an average of 3.9 yards, and one touchdown. He has been dealing with injuries as well, suffering a fractured ankle and fibula in week 2 of the 2024 season, then having an MCL sprain for most of the 2025 season.

Personally, I think he still played relatively well for a guy coming off those back to back rough injuries. However, it does seem he has lost a step in terms of explosivity, but dealing with an MCL sprain immediately following the leg/ankle injury, I can see why that explosion may not be there. That doesn’t mean it’s gone forever though, as medical science and particularly sports science has gotten much better as of late. There have been videos circulating on social media of him working out, and he looks pretty solid.

Either way, we didn’t sign Pacheco to be our bell cow. We signed him to be a change of pace, power runner, which he fits relatively well. Pacheco is also a solid pass blocker, receiving a 67.2 pass block grade in 2025, per PFF. That will come in handy, as the Lions, and Goff, will fair a lot better with someone who can pick up the blitzing backer.

Pacheco isn’t a one to one replacement of Montgomery, but for what we need, he’s great. He offers a physical, aggressive running style that will pair with Gibbs’ elusiveness well, hence the name “Fast & Furious.” There is one downside though, Pacheco doesn’t have great vision, meaning the hole has to be there for him. He’s not really the type to make something out of nothing. Hopefully the Lions improved offensive line can make the holes for him.

It’s not very likely we ask Pacheco to carry the same load as David Montgomery, and that’s why we decided to move on in the first place. This is the Jahmyr Gibbs show now.

Overall, Pacheco’s aggressive, physical running style will fit the Lions like a glove, and he’s exactly what they were looking for. Let’s hope he can stay healthy.

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