Vineland’s Isiah Pacheco Signs with Detroit Lions

Former Vineland High School quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Isiah Pacheco, formerly of the Chiefs, is heading to the Detroit Lions on a one-year contract, per Tom Pellisaro of the NFL Network.

From the Fighting Clan to the Motor City: Pacheco’s Next Chapter

He started at running back and won a Super Bowl in his first two NFL seasons after being drafted in the seventh round out of Rutgers by the Kansas City Chiefs. Injuries have plagued Pacheco for the last two seasons, limiting him to just 20 games over the past two seasons.

Pacheco scored 12 touchdowns and had 1,767 yards over his first two seasons with the Chiefs, but just 772 yards and two scores the past two seasons for Kansas City.

The 'Sonic and Knuckles' Duo: Pacheco and Jahmyr Gibbs

In Detroit, he will likely take a little bit of a back seat to Gibbs, who became a star in 2025, but will spell him to give the Lions a physical presence in the run game.

A Look Back: Pacheco’s Legend at Vineland High School

At Vineland, Pacheco was a quarterback, running back, and defensive back for the Fighting Clan, playing for coach Dan Russo. He led Vineland to an 8-2 overall record as a senior and back-to-back playoff appearances. As a senior, he rushed for 1,414 yards and 18 touchdowns, throwing for 598 yards and three touchdowns.  On defense, he posted 28 tackles, two interceptions, and added one punt return touchdown and one safety. In his junior season, he rushed for 1,107 yards with 15 touchdowns.