Detroit Lions Sign Former Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco as New Backup

The Detroit Lions have agreed to bring in running back Isiah Pacheco from Kansas City to serve as the new backup behind Jahmyr Gibbs. The move comes after Detroit traded away David Montgomery to Houston earlier in the offseason.

The Detroit Lions have struck a deal to bring in running back Isiah Pacheco from the Kansas City Chiefs to fill the backup role behind Jahmyr Gibbs, according to a source familiar with the agreement announced Tuesday.

The signing comes after Detroit sent David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and fourth- and seventh-round draft selections. Montgomery had reportedly grown unhappy with his secondary role behind Gibbs.

Pacheco brings four years of NFL experience from Kansas City, where he accumulated 2,537 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while contributing to two Super Bowl championship teams. His departure from Kansas City became possible after the Chiefs secured Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III with a three-year, $45 million contract during the early stages of free agency.

In other NFL roster moves, the Green Bay Packers are making changes in their secondary by bringing in cornerback Benjamin St-Juste on a two-year, $10.5 million deal while preparing to release Nate Hobbs just one year into his four-year, $48 million contract.

Sources speaking to The Associated Press requested anonymity since these transactions cannot become official until Wednesday, when the NFL’s new league year officially begins.

Hobbs struggled with injuries and performance issues during his first season in Green Bay after leaving Las Vegas. The 26-year-old defender suffered a knee injury during training camp and was later benched midseason, managing just five starts across 11 games with only two pass breakups. He missed Green Bay’s playoff loss to Chicago and revealed after the season that he tore a medial collateral ligament in late December against Baltimore.

St-Juste spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, participating in approximately 35% of defensive snaps while also contributing significantly on special teams. The 28-year-old defender has recorded two interceptions during his five-year career, which began in Washington after being selected in the third round of the 2021 draft.

Kansas City also made additional signings to address their defensive needs, agreeing to a three-year, $24.5 million contract with former Baltimore safety Alohi Gilman and a two-year, $11 million deal with receiver Tyquan Thornton, who became their primary deep threat during Baltimore’s disappointing 6-11 campaign that ended their decade-long playoff run.

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured running back Rico Dowdle with a two-year, $12.25 million agreement, reuniting him with new head coach Mike McCarthy. The pair previously worked together in Dallas, where Dowdle made history as the first undrafted Cowboys running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards during McCarthy’s final season there in 2024.

After signing with Carolina last year, Dowdle delivered standout performances including 206 yards against Miami and 183 rushing yards plus a 36-yard touchdown reception against his former Dallas team, finishing the campaign with 1,076 total yards.

Pittsburgh is also monitoring a potentially more significant reunion for McCarthy, as 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not yet decided whether to return for what would be his 22nd NFL season and second with the Steelers. Rodgers and McCarthy spent over 12 seasons together in Green Bay, capturing a Super Bowl title during the 2010 season.

The Buffalo Bills reached a three-year contract extension with tight end Dawson Knox that will provide salary cap relief. The seventh-year player was entering his final contracted season and was set to count $17 million against Buffalo’s cap space.

The New York Giants secured cornerback Greg Newsome after losing starter Cor’Dale Flott to Tennessee during the opening day of free agent negotiations. New York also signed safety Ar’Darius Washington, marking the third player to follow new coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore, joining tight end Isaiah Likely and All-Pro punter Jordan Stout.

Minnesota retained two-time All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola for what will be his seventh season with the Vikings. The 38-year-old specialist holds the distinction of being the only long snapper to earn three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2022 through 2024.