Jason Kelce: Chiefs' Offense Has 'Completely' Changed

Jason Kelce isn't backing down. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images&period;

Jason Kelce: Chiefs' Offense Has 'Completely' Changed

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Sep 15, 2026 4:00 PM ET

An offseason acquisition paid instant dividends for the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1.

Kansas City began the 2026 season with a 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos. A returning Patrick Mahomes got considerable help from Kenneth Walker III, who registered 173 rushing yards, 18 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in a dominant Chiefs debut.

Jason Kelce watched younger brother Travis Kelce and Co. notch the statement victory on Monday Night Football. After the game, the ESPN analyst credited Walker for improving Kansas City’s offense.

“Last year, the Chiefs had one explosive run of more than 20 yards from a running back all season,” Kelce wrote. “Walker had two today. He completely changes the Chiefs offense, they haven’t had a back this dynamic in Pat’s entire career.”

Walker makes triumphant Kansas City debut

Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn ImagesJay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Kelce may have a valid point. ESPN Insights noted that Walker tallied the most rushing yards by a Chiefs player since Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018.

Kansas City also hasn’t had a top-15 rushing offense or 1,000-yard rusher in those last eight years. They finished 25th with 103.3 rushing yards per game last season.

Based on Monday night, Walker has a strong opportunity to snap those droughts.

Andy Reid showed a desire to run the ball when giving Walker six handoffs on Kansas City’s opening drive. He helped the Chiefs take a two-score lead when taking a fourth-down run to the house for a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Walker didn’t know he’d get 26 touches in the primetime AFC West matchup, but he was happy to receive a heavy workload out of the gate.

“It’s good, though. They trust me,” Walker told SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt in a post-game interview. “They trust the running backs, and they trust we’re gonna be able to move the ball from the run game.”

Mahomes also praised Walker and the rushing attack to ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters after the win.

“It’s a mentality, and it’s an attitude. He sets the tone,” Mahomes said of Walker. “We talked about it all week long. Against this defense, you got to set the tone, and that offensive line and those running backs did that.”

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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