The Kenneth Walker III free agency saga lasted really not that long. The Kansas City Chiefs pounced on the opportunity to land the Super Bowl MVP and now, it’s big-time expectations once again for the team.
Reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Walker will go the Chiefs on a deal negotiated by Aura Sports Group. This brings a close to one of the storylines of the offseason: the Chiefs looking to get a top running game. However, now that they landed Walker, the need is over.
As for the depth chart, Walker will now be the workhorse of the team, as Isiah Pacheco, Dameon Pierce, and Kareem Hunt are headed to free agency. Hence, below Walker, second-year Brashard Smith will be there if needed. Keaontay Ingram is currently a restricted free agent with the Chiefs.
This also discards Jeremiyah Love
The Chiefs were supposed to be very interested in Jeremiyah Love, the best running back in the draft. The Chiefs have the ninth draft pick this year, and they didn’t think Love would be available, hence, they pulled the trigger on Walker, who’s getting a lucrative contract in Kansas City.
Love is more of an explosive running back, while Walker is a bit more elusive and agile. Still, both would’ve solved the issues at hand with the Chiefs running game. However, Walker was the more expensive option, it’s just that the Chiefs didn’t want to risk not signing him early, and then get Love drafted before they had the chance. Now, they are not empty handed.
see also
Patrick Mahomes welcomes Kenneth Walker to Chiefs with two-word message
Chiefs now must focus on their WR room
The other storyline around the Chiefs is that they have no top-tier wide receiver. Whether they now use the ninth pick to get the wideout or do it on free agency remains to be seen. However, Patrick Mahomes needs an elite weapon.
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