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!