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They Said He Was Just a Seventh-Rounder – Now The Underdog Silences All the Doubters on the Chiefs’ Path to Super Bowl 2026

Nobody expected much from a seventh-round pick. Isiah Pacheco arrived in Kansas City as an afterthought—a name on the draft board few noticed, a running back with a chip on his shoulder and fire in his eyes. Fast-forward to 2025, and the undrafted spirit in him has taken center stage. Now, he’s not just running for first downs—he’s running to prove a point.

When the Chiefs selected Pacheco out of Rutgers in the final round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the doubters wasted no time. Too wild, too raw, too small for an every-down back in the NFL. Even after a rookie season filled with flashes of speed and fearless runs, questions lingered: Was he built for the grind? Could he last?

By the time the 2024 season ended, Pacheco had already changed the conversation. He had become the spark of Kansas City’s offense, carrying the ball with ferocity and refusing to be tackled by more than one man. In the playoffs, his bruising runs and relentless energy set the tone for a Chiefs team hungry for another championship.

This offseason, as the Chiefs gear up for their 2026 Super Bowl run, Pacheco posted on social media:
“People said I’d never be the lead back in the NFL. I just kept running. Only time will tell who’s right.”

The message resonated—not just with fans, but with teammates who saw his growth firsthand. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised Pacheco as “the heart of our offense,” while coach Andy Reid called him “the engine that never quits.”

Behind the stats is a story of grit. Pacheco’s journey from backup to bell cow is one of sheer willpower and resilience. He’s taken every hit—on and off the field—and channeled it into something greater, refusing to let the “seventh-round” tag define his legacy.

The doubters may have written him off. But now, with Super Bowl 2026 in sight, Isiah Pacheco is letting his play—and his spirit—do the talking.

Who do you believe is the next great underdog in the NFL? Has a player’s journey ever changed your perspective on what it means to succeed? Let us know in the comments!

Chiefs Safety Faces Family Tragedy During Bye Week as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks is mourning a heartbreaking loss during the team’s bye week, following the tragic death of his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected, military-trained skydiving instructor known in the community as “Spidey.” Fuller, 35, was killed in a tandem skydiving accident near Nashville over the weekend after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was rescued by firefighters.Authorities confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered from a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department praised its rescue teams for carrying out “one of the most complex high-angle operations in years.” Fuller had completed over 5,000 jumps, trained U.S. military personnel, and was admired for his precision and leadership in the skydiving community. Friends remembered him as “fearless, disciplined, and devoted to helping others fly.”Hicks, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up closely connected to his cousin — often crediting him for shaping his mindset on focus and accountability both on and off the field. A family member told local media, “Justin taught Jaden that real courage isn’t about taking risks — it’s about discipline, service, and heart. That’s how he lived, and that’s what Jaden carries into every game.” Hicks, a product of Washington State, has quietly carved out a key role in Kansas City's defense this season - playing approximately 42% of defensive snaps, recording 10 solo tackles through 5 weeks, earning a PFF grade of 57.9, and adding one tackle on special teams. có đúng thông tin không The Chiefs, currently on their bye week, have granted Hicks time to be with his family. Teammates and coaches are said to be offering full support during this difficult period. The FAA has opened an investigation into the accident, as tributes to Fuller — under his nickname “Spidey” — continue to flood social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,” one tribute read.