Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco’s future in Kansas City could be at risk as the franchise begins to navigate the offseason off the back of its Super Bowl defeat.
In the wake of Travis Kelce’s decision to return to the NFL next season and the Chiefs’ post-Super Bowl rebuild, Pacheco could find himself on the chopping block.
The organization reportedly won’t consider an extension for the 26-year-old until the start of the 2025 season gets underway, according to Sportskeeda.
The Chiefs front office are said to be holding off until Pacheco, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, proves he’s healthy and back in form.
The former seventh-round pick missed a large chuck of last season after fracturing his fibula, appearing in just seven games.
Since entering the league in 2022, Pacheco has battled multiple injuries, including a torn labrum, a broken hand, a fractured fibula, rib injuries, and concussions.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco’s (pictured) future in Kansas City could be at risk
The Chiefs (pictured coach Andy Reid) are reportedly in no rush to extend Pacheco’s contract
The former seventh-round pick missed a large chuck of last season after fracturing his fibula
The team’s decision could come as a blow to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has previously referred to Pacheco as ‘the most consistent young guy’ he has worked with.
The Chiefs had been staring down the barrel of multiple salary cap casualties but were handed a lifeline by the NFL last month.
The Commissioner’s Office informed teams the NFL salary cap will be raised to somewhere between $277.5 million to $281.5 million for the 2025 season. That’s a dramatic rise from the $255.4 million salary cap teams faced in 2024 and a $53 million increase over the last two seasons.
The increase means, even with Kelce’s return, the Chiefs still have a sH๏τ of keeping hold of Trey Smith. The Chiefs placed a non-exclusive franchise tender on the star offensive lineman Smith.
Smith’s tender means he is open to negotiate a contract with other teams. However the Chiefs have the right to match any offer he receives from another franchise.
Should the Chiefs decline to match an offer to Smith, they would receiver two first-round picks as compensation.
If Smith is retained by Kansas City without a new contract, he will earn more than $25million this year.
The Chiefs will enter long-term negotiations with Smith to lock him up beyond this season and avoid having gained no compensation should he want to walk away in 2026.
