Chiefs Trade Idea Sends 4th Year Underperformer To Washington
The Kansas City Chiefs may be on the lookout for some additional talent as they have come back from their dismal 0-2 start to be just one game out from AFC West leaders, the Denver Broncos.
But it is also not implausible that they could look to discard pieces of value that serve little to no functional purpose to the team moving forward. One position group where they could think to do this, and trim down what has become a very crowded room, is at running back.
Isiah Pacheco started as the lead back for the team, and has maintained that position for the duration of the season, with the sole exception of week 4’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, where he saw only 37% of offensive snaps as the team laid out Lamar Jackson’s team in a resounding victory.
Chiefs Could Look To Move Off Starting Offensive Player
But Pacheco does not feel like the same kind of angry, aggressive runner he once was earlier in his career.
Although his metrics have not decreased dramatically since 2023, and are actually up slightly on his 2024 performance, it feels like the momentum is starting to shift away from him and towards veteran back, Kareem Hunt, or even seventh round rookie, Brashard Smith.
So in this trade proposal, the Chiefs trade away Pacheco, whose contract is up at the end of the season, to the Washington Commanders.
Fans and media alike have been begging head coach, Andy Reid and co. to let Smith get more touches of the ball and see more time on offense, and in the meantime Kareem Hunt provides very similar efficiency to Pacheco in the run game – 4 yards/carry vs 4.2 yards/carry.
The team also have Elijah Mitchell; who missed the entirety of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury, but has been very productive earlier in his career, including a 963 yard rushing season in his rookie year for the San Francisco 49ers; and has yet to see the field this season on offense.
What Would The Chiefs Get In Return For Isiah Pacheco?
It is not clear exactly what Pacheco’s value is. On the one hand he is a starting running back in the NFL, who has played by no means terribly in 2025.
On the other, he is out of contract in March, and notions of an extensions have not been widely reported on.
To make the matters worse, he recently suffered an MCL injury, that should keep him out for the next couple of games as he remains “week-to-week” with the injury.
Yet, it seems like week-11, post the team’s bye is a realistic target return date for the one-time 7th round draft pick, who admittedly has vastly overplayed his draft position back in 2022.
The eventual answer is that the Chiefs will not get a ton for Pacheco. But if they feel like in this season, Hunt and Smith are the way forward, and they can recoup some draft compensation for him, then a move could certainly make sense for both them and the Commanders, who could use some support for another rookie 7th rounder, Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Washington Commanders receive: Isiah Pacheco, 2026 seventh round pick
Kansas City Chiefs receive: 2026 fifth round pick
Cubs Urged to Trade for, Pay Orioles All-Star After Kyle Tucker Leaves
The Chicago Cubs could have a busy offseason ahead. Kyle Tucker is hitting the open market, and if the Cubs lose him, they may need to make some moves to replace his production.
Tucker is expected to sign a lucrative contract that could reach north of $400 million in total value. If the Cubs are unwilling to go that high, the team could spend elsewhere. FanSided’s Chris Landers urged the Cubs to acquire and pay Baltimore Orioles All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.
“The Cubs have the luxury of being just about locked in at every position on the diamond - except, that is, for catcher, where Carson Kelly started off strong before disappearing down the stretch this season,” wrote Landers. “It’s a spot crying out for an upgrade this offseason, and while the free-agent market is thin on impact names (outside a declining JT Realmuto), the trade market features one heck of a buy-low opportunity in Rutschman.”
Tucker had an .841 OPS and 22 home runs in what was considered a down year. The Cubs will have to find a way to replace that production, and the catcher position could use an upgrade. Carson Kelly posted a .761 OPS and had a solid season. However, Rutschman is a two-time All-Star and a Silver Slugger.
He had a down year this year and dealt with injuries. Additionally, the Orioles gave catcher Samuel Basallo a contract extension. After committing to an eight-year, $67 million extension with Basallo, Rutschman’s future may be in doubt. He did not have his best year, but he still has the potential to be an elite player. The Cubs could ink him to an extension while the price tag is low.
