Every NFL star has their style of enjoying themselves on their birthdays, some make it all flashy, while some like Jason Kelce add their own touch by buying a pack of Dutch Masters cigars at some shop nearby. Then we have Cooper DeJean who turned 22, recording a touchdown on his birthday. Even his birthday twin, Saquon Barkley marked a birthday touchdown while turning 28th in the Super Bowl LIX. And now we have the Chiefs’ RB Isiah Pacheco getting all emotional and overwhelmed amid his career uncertainty.
This year, Isiah Pacheco turned 26, riding on an emotional wave, much visible from his birthday reposts on Instagram itself. He received tons of wishes, where we saw him, skating, biking, ice sliding, and more. Amongst them was a photo from his elder sibling captioned, “Happy birthday to you brother love you kiddo”. Not just family and friends, even the Chiefs‘ official IG also wished him on his birthday, with a tagline, “10 photos for 10’s birthday. HBD.” There were several other wishes reposted on his account as well, ranging from, “Happppyyy Birthdayyy cously yy atil poppyaso. Love youuu”, to “Happppyyy Birthdayyy cously yy atil poppyaso. Love!.” His friends group, who are all like brothers to him, also put up a picture where they were all partying, “@lil poppy856 happy bday family. Yktv been rocking on the field, since we was 5 Man. LTN 5LA”
The past year was definitely an emotional rollercoaster for Isiah as the RB could only take part in seven games in the season 2024. He battled through his injuries and put up with 310 rushing yards on 83 attempts, with an average of 3.7 yards per carry, with one rushing touchdown, despite his setbacks. In the passing game, he hauled in 12 receptions for 79 yards, making an average of 6.6 yards per catch. The numbers may not be great, but they were an honest effort from Isiah.
No doubt, he was a tad emotional on his birthday. As the last season was full of injuries he met with on the field. He had multiple cases, including a torn labrum, a broken hand, a fractured fibula, rib injuries, and concussions. Trust me. The guy tried to play it cool, but the blows weren’t very low-key, for his fractured fibula as he straight-up missed Weeks 3-12. Later, after his return, he also sustained another rib injury. Talk about game luck. But shaking off the disappointment, Isiah had shown his determination, “I’d say it’s been a phenomenal comeback for me,” with the clear sign that he is motivated. He also added, “Just pleased and thankful for the training staff and everybody that’s been a part of the journey. For me, [it’s] just been great.”
But would it still be the same for him and KC in 2025? Or will the team move forward without Isiah as the upcoming draft season approaches?
Isiah Pacheco’s future in Kansas City looks a bit hazy
The chiefs are moving ahead with a strategy to reclaim the Lombardi trophy. For which, they will leave no stone unturned in setting up their roster game on point for the 2025 season. As far as the RB is concerned, there is only so much that his motivation can do in helping him turn around the situation. Due to his health report, and performance last season, he is visibly at risk for making a cut for the 2025 season. We all remember the guy was benched for an extended time during the 2024 season. He may be in his final year of the rookie contract, but the team will hold off on any contract extensions until Isiah doesn’t prove he is 100% healthy and back in form. Evidently, the team will take a wait-and-see approach before making any decisions in haste.
Additionally, the news on air about Travis Kelce’s return to the field next season can also influence the team’s decision on retaining Pacheco. Kelce recently announced his return with, “I’m coming back, for sure. Gonna try and get to the best shape I’ve been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle. I can’t go out like that!!!!”
Pacheco can likely find himself on the radar amid the team’s post Super Bowl rebuild. Their decision on eliminating the RB from the picture might not sit well with their leading man, Patrick Mahomes. As he had previously vouched for the RB ‘the most consistent young guy’ he had ever worked with. But the QB isn’t wrong about Isiah though. We all have seen his relentless drive that keeps Isiah’s spirit and determination for the sport alive. With the league announcing an increased salary cap between $277.5 million and $281.5 million for the 2025 season, the Chiefs are now finding themselves relieved from the multiple salary cap losses.
Even with Kelce’s return, the team can still retain key players like Trey Smith without any major blows to the team’s financial cap. But even with the increased salary cap, Isiah’s future in red still looks a bit hazy. Looks like not even money can secure him a spot until the team doesn’t get a green signal from his health report. As they say, health is wealth and Pacheco’s situation hits the words right.
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