Chiefs Training Camp Buzzes with Deep Throws, Defensive Grit – and Isiah Pacheco’s Route Running Drama

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in familiar territory: training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, under the relentless Midwest sun, with championship dreams once again burning bright.

After finishing the 2024 NFL season with an impressive 15-2 record and an AFC Championship win over the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs fell just short in Super Bowl LIX, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles. But if there’s one thing Kansas City has proven over the Patrick Mahomes era, it’s resilience. And 2025 promises another all-out push for the Lombardi Trophy.

Anchored by a fearsome defense that allowed just 326 points last season—fourth-best in the league—the Chiefs are riding into camp with one of the NFL’s most balanced rosters. Defensive stalwarts like Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie have solidified Kansas City’s status as a team that doesn’t just outscore opponents—they outmuscle them.

But on offense, it’s the search for big plays that’s dominated early conversations.

During Wednesday’s first full-squad session, all eyes turned toward the vertical passing game. Mahomes, ever the magician, delivered a jaw-dropping deep strike to second-year wideout Xavier Worthy, sparking cheers from the crowd and early buzz about the duo’s chemistry.

Then came the unexpected moment that lit up social media: Isiah Pacheco’s attempt at a simple flat route.

The 26-year-old running back, entering his contract year, lined up and executed the basic route in a way that drew laughs, memes, and a flood of online commentary. Fans didn’t hold back.

“Pachecos route lmao,” one user wrote on X.

“Buddy’s a bobble head,” another joked.

“He runs routes like Druski,” one commenter said, comparing the Chiefs’ gritty back to the viral comedian known for his exaggerated movements.

Despite the viral moment, many fans came to Pacheco’s defense, with one post reading: “Dudes got the sauce.”

Born in Vineland, New Jersey, and a standout at Rutgers, Pacheco’s NFL journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft—251st overall—he quickly earned a reputation as one of the league’s hardest runners. His downhill style and relentless energy made him a fan favorite and a key contributor in two Super Bowl runs.

In 2023, Pacheco rushed 205 times for 935 yards and seven touchdowns, while also hauling in 44 receptions for 244 yards and two scores. Through the end of 2024, his career totals include 2,075 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and over 450 receiving yards. More impressively, he became the only running back in NFL history to win two Super Bowls in his first two seasons.

But 2025 is different. This is the final year of his four-year, $3.74 million rookie contract. With a modest $79,108 signing bonus and an average annual value just under $935,000, Pacheco has vastly outperformed his deal.

Still, the Chiefs have not yet extended an offer.

That leaves Pacheco in a tricky position—battling to prove his worth, not just as a ground-and-pound workhorse, but as a complete back who can block, catch, and yes, run routes with precision.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the moment lightly during his post-practice presser.

“Look, we’ve got a lot of guys working on their craft. Isaiah’s one of the toughest kids I’ve coached. He’s a competitor. And he’ll clean that up.”

Mahomes, always the leader, added with a grin, “Hey, I’ll take Pacheco in my foxhole any day—even if his flat routes go a little… sideways.”

As training camp rolls on and preseason nears, all signs point to another explosive year for Kansas City. But while the headlines may focus on deep throws and Super Bowl ambitions, it’s the smaller moments—like a funny flat route gone viral—that reveal the personality of a team still chasing greatness.

And for Isiah Pacheco, every step, every cut, every route is one more chance to secure his future—in Kansas City or beyond.