Most seventh rounders have to wait a while to get in the game. But Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Isiah Pacheco won’t have to wait long to step on the field when the Chiefs play the Washington Commanders on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Pacheco, who got snaps with the first-team offense against the Bears and only increased his value to the team, is now looking forward to playing his first home game.
“I’m really excited,” Pacheco said Monday in St. Joe, Mo. “They said it’s crazy. There’s a lot of fans there. So, for me to be out there with a lot of fans, it’s going to bring a lot more juice to me as well.”
Against the Bears, Pacheco had two carries for six yards and caught a pass for five yards. He said playing in an NFL game is something he has looked forward to for a long time.
“It felt great to be in the first preseason game,” Pacheco said. “From a kid just waiting all his life to be in an NFL game and to actually play in one it felt great. I’ve always had the mindset to do it and it was a dream come true. I finally did it.”
It took just six plays for Pacheco, the 5-foot-10, 216-pound former Rutgers star, to enter the game on offense. His first carry was a run up the middle for two yards then he made a nifty catch along the sideline that setup Patrick Mahomes’ touchdown pass to Blake Bell.
Pacheco made the catch, broke a tackle and got up field, earning the praise from Mahomes and coach Andy Reid.
“I thought he ran hard and played fast,” Reid said. “He didn’t look like he shied down with anything. Pretty accurate with the things that he did. I thought he did a nice job. He’s one of the young guys that I was happy had a chance to play.”
While Reid pulled Mahomes and a few other skill-position starters after the Chiefs’ opening drive, Pacheco continued to get snaps with the second team and had another carry for four yards. He later returned a kick 34 yards in the third quarter.
Pacheco said he’s willing to do whatever he can to help the Chiefs win, and his approach to making the team as a late-round pick is paying off.
“I just come out here with the same mindset and be ready to play,” Pacheco said. “And come out here and practice and put it on film. And film don’t lie. At the end of the day put it on and go out here and see what guys are working hard.”