Latest news with #ElijahMitchell
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Chiefs Veteran Isiah Pacheco Adds Muscle For Contract Year
Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second ... More quarter in the AFC Championship Game. (Photo by) After the final practice of the first week of organized team activities (OTAs), Isiah Pacheco appropriately wore a Rutgers jacket. Through taking online classes, the Kansas City Chiefs running back completed his undergraduate degree from that university. 'It means so much to me and my family,' Pacheco said. 'I'm so blessed.' Another offseason goal for Pacheco was to add weight, following a down year. He broke his right fibula against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week Two of 2024 and was limited to seven games. For the first time in his three years in the NFL, he finished under 4.0 yards per carry (3.7) for the season while rushing for just 310 yards. 'That's what happens when you're dealing with an injury,' Pacheco said. 'And you're just trying to rush back.' During the OTAs Pacheco said he felt 'great,' and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid echoed that description. 'He looks tremendous right now,' Reid said. 'He's put on a couple of pounds of good weight.' This is a critical year for Pacheco to be at his best. He's in the final season of his four-year, $3.7 million rookie deal with the Chiefs and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. The Chiefs added another running back who will also be in a contract year. They signed former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell to a one-year, $2.5 million, free-agent contract. They also brought back Kareem Hunt (also on a one-year deal) and drafted running back Brashard Smith, a converted wide receiver, to augment their running back room. 'It's a phenomenal room,' Pacheco said. One might not think a seventh-round pick like Smith could make an impact, but Pacheco was drafted in that final round too and went on start 11 games and rush for 830 yards during his rookie year en route to a Super Bowl LVII victory. Through his first three years with the Chiefs, all he's known is Super Bowls. 'To go three times in a row is surreal,' he said. Prior to Super Bowl LIX, Pacheco was officially listed at 216 pounds, but his weight likely was well below that. Though Pacheco declined to answer when asked for his objective as far as total weight for 2025, he returned to his roots, working out at the local YMCA to add muscle. Pacheco grew up in Vineland, N.J., which is 45 minutes away from Philadelphia, and used to root for the Eagles. While lifting weights he understandably saw several other workout warriors wearing Eagles hats. That team, of course, had just defeated the Chiefs, 40-22, in Super Bowl LIX. 'I use it as a big motivation,' Pacheco said. He was also motivated to get his college degree, an impressive achievement for a successful, professional athlete who should not need to put his criminal justice major to use any time soon. 'He wants to make not only himself better for the community but generations to come in his family,' Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. 'That's special.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Predict Rookie To Do 'Silly Things' with Mahomes
Coming off a 2024 season in which the Kansas City Chiefs' run game ranked 26th in yards per game (101.2), the front office knew that something had to change. With Isiah Pachco and Kareem Hunt returning, neither is considered a speed burner; instead, they are more than capable of picking up yards in a bruising manner. Advertisement That led the Chiefs to pick up Elijah Mitchell in free agency who has speed to burn, but is coming off an injury that saw him ruled out of the entire 2024 season. Then came the draft. Kansas City then selected SMU back Brashard Smith, who rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but it was his 4.39 speed and his ability to be a dynamic slasher that caught the AFC champs' attention. And for director of player personnel Rnye Nutt, he fully expects Smith to feature at some point in 2025. "When he has the ball in his hands, whether it's as a runner or catching the ball, he can do some silly things in terms of what he can set up," Nutt said via ESPN. "Now he has to come in and pick everything up and there has to be a comfort level that he knows what he's doing. But talent-wise, there should be no reason this kid shouldn't help us at some point in the season.'' Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Brashard Smith (1) runs with the ball while trying to avoid a tackle during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Beaver Stadium.@ Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images With the Chiefs not having genuine speed in the backfield, it can make stopping the run rather easy for defenses, and eight times Kansas City was kept under 100 yards last season. Advertisement Now with Mitchell and Smith in the ranks, both of whom possess the home-run speed Andy Reid is looking for, there is a hope that defenses won't be able to pin their ears back and go after Patrick Mahomes because of the threat Mitchell and Smith possess. Granted, that is provided Smith makes the team, and Nutt said as much, so this offseason looms as pivotal in seeing if the former SMU star can adapt to the playbook and the rigors of the NFL, because make no mistake about it, there is a spot on this roster for him. If he's good enough. Related: Chiefs Star Shows Off Super Bowl Rings At College Graduation Related: Should Chiefs Sign Long-Time Playoff Enemy?
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs RB Elijah Mitchell praises the signing of long-time teammate
The Kansas City Chiefs made impactful additions to their roster at the start of free agency, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Each player is expected to contribute to the team's journey in a hopeful return to the Super Bowl 2025. Running back Elijah Mitchell, the Chiefs' latest signing, spoke with reporters via Zoom on Thursday for the first time since agreeing to his deal. He also shared his thoughts on a fellow free agent signing from the San Francisco 49ers, offensive tackle Jaylon Moore. "That's my boy, bruh like we came in together. Since day one, we clicked," said Mitchell. "But, man, Jaylon (Moore), he brings a lot, even though he was (playing behind) one of the best tackles in the league (49ers' Trent Williams). Jaylon is definitely a sleeper, and Patrick Mahomes is going to love what Jaylon brings to it. He can protect. He's a good guy, man, and an awesome football player. So he's going to be good. I'm excited for him." Both players were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft and are trying to transition their success from San Francisco to Kansas City in 2025.
NBC Sports
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Could Mitchell have upside in Chiefs backfield?
The Rotoworld Football Show analyzes Elijah Mitchell's fit with the Kansas City Chiefs, debating whether the former San Francisco 49ers running back has any upside with his new team.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch Jaylon Moore, Elijah Mitchell sign free agent contracts with Kansas City Chiefs
Watch Jaylon Moore, Elijah Mitchell sign free agent contracts with Kansas City Chiefs On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs officially saw former San Francisco 49ers standouts Jaylon Moore and Elijah Mitchell sign their free-agent contracts. In videos that were posted to the Chiefs' official Twitter account, Moore and Mitchell were seen inking their new deals with Kansas City just days after news of their acquisitions were announced. Both players are expected to play key roles in the Chiefs' offense next season as Kansas City endeavors to clinch its fourth consecutive Super Bowl berth. Moore put pen to paper on his contract first, and he took the opportunity to have his picture taken with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid. Then, after Mitchell finished the paperwork on his contract, the former 49ers running back got a taste of Reid's signature wit during his photo-op. With plenty of time left before the 2025 NFL draft, Kansas City's fans can look forward to seeing the Chiefs sign more free agents over the next month.
