Lions sign their David Montgomery RB replacement, and he's a 2-time Super Bowl champion

The Detroit Lions traded David Montgomery away to the Houston Texans, which set them up to pursue a secondary RB in free agency.

Jahmyr Gibbs was always going to lead this backfield, but it's an important spot on the depth chart to ensure alternatives in the backfield if needed.

The Lions made that happen on Tuesday. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Lions have signed Isiah Pacheco to a free agent contract.

Pacheco comes aboard from the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was a two-time Super Bowl champion.

The 5-foot-10, 216-pound bruiser entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Rutgers.

MORE: Travis Kelce reveals why he didn't retire and signed back with Chiefs

His powerful running style gained notice almost right away, as he ran 170 times for 830 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. 

He was solid in 2023, as well, running 205 times for 935 yards and seven scores, still working out to 4.6 yards per carry.

A leg fracture limited Pacheco to seven games in 2024, and his efficiency regressed to 3.7 yards per carry.

He was only at 3.9 yards per carry in 2025, and the Chiefs let him go.

Kansas City signed Kenneth Walker to lead its backfield.

Pacheco just turned 27 years old earlier in March, so he could have a decent future ahead of him still in the NFL in the right situation. The Lions are hoping that they are that right situation.

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