Kenneth Walker III is fresh off being the Super Bowl MVP, and the AChiefs are hoping he can get the running offense going in a workhorse capacity. Per Jesse Newell of The Athletic, the Chiefs could move on from Brashard Smith, who was a decent RB for them last year.

The Chiefs GM Brett Veach said earlier in the offseason the team’s plan was to run the ball to help Mahomes. However, that doesn’t mean that all RBs were safe, as the report states. Hence, Smith must really impress in OTAs or he will likely be a free agent.

The Chiefs RB depth chart

Walker is the predictable RB1 and workhorse of the team. The Chiefs also drafted Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, and signed Emari Demercado. Hence, those latter two are Smith’s competition.

But the depth chart continues, as the Chiefs brought in two UDFAs in EJ Smith, son of legendary RB Emmitt Smith, and Jaydn Ott. One would assume Smith is over them in the pecking order, but the competition is getting tougher and tougher.

The Chiefs have a big task on their hands

While no one argues Patrick Mahomes is elite, a future Hall of Famer, and already an all-time great quarterback, the fact is he is coming off an ACL tear, he doesn’t have great weapons, and the running back is a question mark even if Walker is now on the roster.

Mahomes hasn’t even gotten Pro Bowl selections in the last couple of years. His numbers are very humane as opposed to the outstanding stats he posted in his earlier years. The Chiefs must help him with weapons, protections, and good playcalling.

Running back Kenneth Walker III recently spoke with Kay Adams on her show to discuss Patrick Mahomes’ influence on his free-agent signing decisions and on building chemistry on the field.

“We’ve been working on getting connected in the passing game and everything, so that’s good. I feel like I’ll be used more in the pass game,” said Walker, who praised Mahomes’ focus on the game plan. “He’s really good at being detailed with the whole team, and that chemistry is going to keep building.”

The Chiefs signed running back Kenneth Walker to a three-year, $43.05 million contract. The 25-year-old is coming off a 1,000-yard season and a Super Bowl MVP performance with the Seattle Seahawks.

What Mahomes did to help bring him in

He also revealed that during last year’s playoffs, Mahomes was pushing for Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to sign the running back. Walker was impressive during Seattle’s Super Bowl run, rushing for 313 yards and four touchdowns in three games.

His comment reflected just how much Kansas City’s front office valued Mahomes’ opinion. With a new option in the backfield, the Chiefs are aiming to recapture their dominance in the NFL by leaning on Walker.

Walker’s performance drew attention

Last season with the Seattle Seahawks, Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. He was also impactful in the passing game with 31 receptions for 282 yards. And with those numbers, he was clearly going to attract attention.

“I feel like it would have had a lot to do with it, you know, he’s (Mahomes) the best quarterback in the league,” said Walker. “So, I feel like he’s got a lot of power in there. I’m glad he does because I’m here now.” He is expected to play a much-needed role in the offense and provide Mahomes with weapons.

“They know how to win here…Me and Andy Reid, he’s just a cool, laidback coach and he loves the players,” the running back said on First Things First. Although the last season saw Chiefs Kingdom miss the playoffs, what Walker III says is indeed true.

In the last 10 years, the Kansas City Chiefs have appeared in five Super Bowls: they won 3 and lost 2. Could they once again reach the top of the NFL this season?

Walker III will have Bieniemy as his new OC

Walker III is coming off a successful stint in Seattle, having been crowned MVP of the most recent Super Bowl under Klint Kubiak’s leadership. Now, he will have a new leader in Eric Bieniemy, whose intensity he has already praised as a signature trait.

“Just intense. Like, from the first night I met him, we were just meeting up going to dinner, he was talking like stuff that I did wrong on the field, talking about everything I needed to be detailed at, so I knew what I was getting into when I met him,” the RB said on the Up & Adams Show. “He wants the best for everybody, but he’s got high standards. That’s good if you want to be better.”

Andy Reid’s rushing options

Heading into the 2026 season, Andy Reid’s offense features an explosive new dimension with Kenneth Walker III leading the backfield after his high-profile signing in free agency. Walker provides the elite tackle-breaking ability and home-run threat that perfectly complements Patrick Mahomes’ passing attack.

Supporting him is a versatile rotation including the reliable Emari Demercado as a primary backup and Brashard Smith, who provides speed in specialized roles. With the addition of rookie Emmett Johnson from the draft, the Chiefs’ “rushing room” is now one of the most dynamic and complete units in the league, offering Reid a variety of creative ways to keep opposing defenses off-balance.

There is only winning for the Chiefs

Chiefs enter the 2026 season looking to reclaim their throne after a disappointing 2025 campaign, where they finished with a 6-11 record, surprisingly landing behind both the Broncos and the Chargers in the AFC West.

The last time this team played in a Super Bowl was on February 9, 2025. Back then, the Chiefs were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX.

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Veach was clear on his message. “We added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and we feel real good about our offensive line… We’ve gotta get back to establishing our run game.”

Establishing the run game allows Mahomes to play more freely, and also lets him know that he doesn’t need to play Superman for the Chiefs offense to work. Mahomes is tasked to do a lot. This time around, Kenneth Walker will provide him with the help he needs.

Kenneth Walker can help Mahomes in multiple ways

Walker is an excellent running back, that’s why he won Super Bowl MVP. He brings a balance of speed, raw power, and intelligence to his game that not many RBs possess. He is also fresh off a ring-winning 1,000-yard season.

However, that’s not the only way he can help Mahomes. Walker also had 31 catches for 282 yards last season. Mahomes can perfectly ditch it out and let Walker do the rest. Screen passes and play-action can also be a part of the menu when having someone like Walker.

Veach also mentioned a revamped O-line

The offensive line was also upgraded and that’s key. While not sexy, the O-line is like the door to a house. It doesn’t matter how big or fancy the house is, it’s nothing without a door that protects it. The Chiefs now brought big guys that will protect Mahomes, and also open holes for Walker.

Josh Simmons is likely to take the left tackle spot, with Kingsley Suamataia at left guard. Creed Humphrey will resume his role as center, while Trey Smith will serve as right guard. The right tackle spot will likely belong to Jaylon Moore.

This offseason, the Seahawks decided not to offer Walker III a new contract, prompting him to sign a three-year, $43 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and join Patrick Mahomes’ offense.

Zach Charbonnet now appears as the RB1 in the depth chart. Nevertheless, it seems like the Seahawks want to add more depth, with Najee Harris visiting the team on Wednesday.

Najee Harris may have a larger role in Seattle than in Las Vegas

Najee Harris entered the NFL as the 24th overall pick in 2021. He had an immediate impact with the Pittsburgh Steelers, securing over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons.

Following his time in Pittsburgh, Harris signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2025 season. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short in Week 3 by a torn Achilles. Now a free agent, his best opportunity to return to a high-volume role may be with the Seahawks.

Seattle features a solid offensive line that helped Walker III thrive in 2025. If Harris joins the Seahawks, he would likely lead a committee alongside Zach Charbonnet (who is recovering from a February ACL surgery).

In contrast, joining the Raiders, who Harris will visit next week, would likely see him in a clear “wingman” role behind 2025 first-round standout Ashton Jeanty, who led the league in broken tackles as a rookie.

Speaking about the team’s running back situation after Kenneth Walker III left for the Chiefs, Schneider pretty much said running backs are expendable. “That’s a position that you can find guys,” he said to Seattle Sports.

Pretty much, he said that Walker leaving is not as big of a deal. This is the Super Bowl MVP he’s talking about, so it’s a big statement. This is even more drastic given that the Seahawks don’t have exactly a top replacement on the roster.

Charbonnet might not be ready to start the season

Charbonnet was part of the Seahawks’ committee until he blew his ACL. That allowed Kenneth Walker to blossom and get his Chiefs contract. However, Charbonnet might not recover for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. Schneider also trusts an internal solution might be found for Walker.

The Seahawks did bring former Packer, Emmanuel Wilson, to the roster. Having said that, Wilson was a backup in Green Bay. Per Schneider, “we’re really excited about Emmanuel Wilson.” They also have Cam Akers on the roster. None of them are on Walker’s level.

The Seahawks running game is on alert watch

Schneider might not feel like it, but the Seahawks offense might resent Walker leaving. In fact, the whole offense might be suffering big time. Offensive coordinator Kubiak is gone. Your best running back is gone. The team hasn’t done much to spend on first-tier talent. The offense might regress heavily.

“There were a lot of teams, (and) I had eight opportunities to go to different teams. Kansas City was one of them,” Pacheco said during his introductory press conference in Detroit.

“Once they made that move (signing Kenneth Walker III), I knew that I had to open up the door to go somewhere else. This (Lions) was the first place I thought of.”

Pacheco’s experience with Chiefs before Lions move

The Chiefs handed a big contract to Walker, who hit free agency after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. After that, Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million fully guaranteed deal to join the Lions.

Pacheco is coming off a lackluster season with the Chiefs, recording just 462 yards while averaging 35 rushing yards per game and 3.9 per carry in 2025. However, his past performances make him an interesting fit for Detroit.

In 2023, Pacheco racked up 935 rushing yards for seven touchdowns, improving his numbers from a promising rookie year in 2022 (830 rushing yards for five touchdowns).

Pacheco boosts Lions RB room

A key contributor to two Super Bowl wins in Kansas City, Pacheco is bringing championship experience to a Lions team that needed depth in the RB room after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.

He’ll be the second running back on the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs, a player Pacheco is looking forward to playing with.

“Jahmyr is a hell of a player,” Pacheco said. “Hats off to him and the guys who have been putting in work here for a couple years now.

“Me looking from the outside in, it’s a hell of a group, and whatever I can do to contribute to the team is going to happen. Whether that’s punting the ball, whatever it’s at, no matter where I’m at on the field, cheering the guys on, bringing excitement to the team, bringing leadership, accountability.”

Pacheco felt it was time to leave Kansas City

Pacheco could’ve stayed in Kansas City, but with Walker arriving to take the RB1 role, he may have faced bigger competition with Brashard Smith entering his second year in the league. Besides, the Chiefs can still bring back Kareem Hunt.

Perhaps a change of scenery is what he needed at this point in his young career. Detroit wants to get over the hump, and Pacheco could play a role in helping Dan Campbell lead the Lions to a long-awaited Super Bowl.

Walker opened up during his introductory press conference about Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy‘s coaching approach. “He intense, yeah, yeah, yeah. The more he talk about it the more intense he gets,” said Walker. “It’s been cool, but you want a person like that who’s real passionate about the game, so I’m excited to get to work with him.”

Kansas City signed Walker to a maximum of $45,000,000 over three years, with $28,700,000 of his contract fully guaranteed at signing. It is a major acquisition that carries significant expectations.

Walker’s feelings about the team

Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker spoke to reporters on Thursday at his introductory press conference, revealing his feelings about the team pursuing him early during free agency. He acknowledged that Kansas City’s consistent success played a major role in his decision to join the organization.

“Winning coaching. Watching over the years, been to plenty of Super Bowls, and you know, they know how to win. So, I felt like it’s a great fit for me,” said Walker, who appreciated being targeted early by Kansas City. “It means a lot, you feel appreciated and wanted, that’s what everybody wants. So, I’m just happy to get in here and be able to get to know the guys and work.”

The Chiefs are aiming to remain contenders next NFL season, and their activity during this period reflects that ambition. The return of Travis Kelce adds another important piece, and the offense will once again rely heavily on the presence of Patrick Mahomes as its centerpiece.

Walker’s numbers

During the 2025 season, Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game with 31 receptions for 282 yards for the Seattle Seahawks, who finished atop the NFC during the regular season.

“[Seattle GM] John Schneider confirms that the Seahawks will sign RB Emanuel Wilson. Also praises the play of George Holani, so sounds like they see a potentially bigger role for him in 2026,” according to reporter John Boyle, @johnpboyle on X.

Holani, an undrafted free agent out of Boise State, has been with the Seahawks since the 2024 NFL season. Still, the 26-year-old half-back has rarely seen the field. It’s only logical considering Walker III and Zach Charbonnet had been above him on the depth chart since he arrived to Emerald City.

Now, Walker is in Kansas City and Charbonnet is trending toward missing a large portion of the 2026 NFL season—if not the entire season. Charbonnet tore his ACL in the NFC Divisional Round, and it was his absence that freed up the field for Walker to run the show in Seattle and be named MVP of Super Bowl LX.

Seahawks’ updated depth chart

With Walker out of the picture and Charbonnet facing question marks, the Seahawks are set to put together a very different-looking backfield in 2026. As it stands, Mike Macdonald has the following options (healthy) at the tailback position: Emmanuel Wilson, George Holani, and Kenny McIntosh.

Barring a star HB addition or draft selection, Seattle will be replacing Walker with this trio. The numbers paint just how steep of a climb the Hawks are in for. Walker finished last season with 1,027 rushing yards.

\It would take Emmanuel Wilson, George Holani, and Kenny McIntosh’s combined career stats to surpass that mark (1,338). Seattle is placing all its hope in the hands of this three-headed—yet wet-behind-the-ears—backfield monster.

What Wilson, Holani, McIntosh bring to the table

Wilson showed flashes in his time with the Green Bay Packers but could never grow out of Josh Jacobs’ shadow. McIntosh missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL but had barely earned a role in Seattle’s offense before that. Holani may be due for a breakout year, but it’s all hanging on ifs and maybes.

Seattle allowed a sure thing to walk, and to no one’s surprise, Walker did just that. Now, the Seahawks must brace for a 2026 season in which every team in the NFL is coming for their crown, and they may not be healthy enough to withstand the battle.

Walker just spoke and said something that might be music to Mahomes’ ears. Matt McCullen, senior reporter for the Chiefs, spoke to Walker and the running back said, “It’s a winning culture. They know how to win, so I feel like it’s a great fit for me.” Pure, golden words from a guy who just won Super Bowl MVP, but now wants to be a part of a dynasty.

Mahomes just missed the playoffs for the first time in his NFL career. He had always gotten to at least the AFC Championship Game. Hence, it was a very weird feeling for the Chiefs. Now with Walker on the roster, the expectations grow exponentially once again.

Walker is a massive upgrade for the Chiefs

Walker is such a big upgrade for their running game that it’s impossible to not get excited if you’re part of Chiefs Kingdom. Walker had 221 rushing attempts for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. Not to mention, he had 282 receiving yards and a top-tier postseason that culminated with a ring-winning, Super Bowl LX MVP performance.

The Chiefs had Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt last year. They combined for 281 attempts and 1,073 yards. Therefore, one can see that Walker alone produced almost as much as the other two combined, and with 60 less rushing attempts. The yards per attempt also speak volumes. Hunt and Pacheco weren’t efficient runners as neither got to 4.0 yards per attempt, while Walker had 4.6, the levels are very different here.

Mahomes hasn’t had a 1,000-yard RB in his career

Mahomes‘ most productive RB so far in his career has been Kareem Hunt in 2018, where he racked up 824 yards. Then, Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 803 yards in 2020. No one has actually come close to get to the 1,000-rushing-yard treshold since Mahomes arrived.

This is the chance to see if Mahomes can produce results without the need of being Superman. Walker III will give him a relieve. Also, having a good back can help you close games, drain the clock, and not risk the football.

Mahomes wasted no time welcoming his new backfield mate, reposting Walker’s announcement on X with a succinct, “Let’s go.” The move signals an aggressive push by the Chiefs front office to revitalize their RB depth chart after a snake-bitten 2025 campaign saw Kansas City miss the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Walker III arrives in Kansas City with his stock at an all-time high following his championship run with the Seattle Seahawks. The 25-year-old was the engine of Seattle’s postseason success, cementing his legacy with four touchdowns and a dominant 135-yard performance in Super Bowl LX to secure MVP honors.

Expectations in Kansas City have reached a fever pitch following the high-profile acquisition of Walker III. His arrival immediately shifts the Chiefs’ 2026 aspirations from a simple rebound to a full-scale championship pursuit. With Mahomes set to return from injury, the front office is signaling that a one-year postseason drought was an anomaly they have no intention of repeating.

Chiefs Rumors: Will KC pull the trigger on Diggs?

While several key contributors are expected to depart in free agency, anticipation is building in Kansas City regarding a potential pursuit of Stefon Diggs. Following his release from the New England Patriots last Wednesday, the four-time Pro Bowler has quickly ascended to the top of the Chiefs‘ wish list as they look to provide Mahomes with a proven vertical threat.

Beyond the Diggs sweepstakes, the Chiefs are reportedly scouring the market for defensive reinforcements. General manager Brett Veach has a window of opportunity to recalibrate the roster, and the coming weeks will be critical as the organization weighs high-priced veterans against a youth-driven rebuild.

With Mahomes nearing full health after his season-ending injury, Travis Kelce officially delaying retirement for a 14th season, and the high-profile addition of Walker III, the stakes have never been higher in Kansas City. The front office is under immense pressure to execute a quick turnaround and restore the Chiefs to their customary spot as Super Bowl favorites.