Feb 9, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III poses with the MVP trophy during the Super Bowl LX winning head coach and most valuable player press conference at Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kenneth Walker Signs With The Kansas City Chiefs

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By John Pina | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 5:09 PM ET

One of the worst-kept secrets this offseason was Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. They came to terms shortly after the NFL free agency window opened. In total, the contract maxes out at three years and $45 million, making Walker the fourth-highest paid running back by AAV at $14.35 million.

The Chiefs desperately needed a starter at the running back position as they were trotting out Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, and Brashard Smith.

Walker is coming off a phenomenal postseason run, which led to him being named Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. He rushed for 135 yards in the Super Bowl and averaged 139 all-purpose yards across three postseason games.

Kansas City was in the market for a running back at the last trade deadline with Breece Hall, and now they have finally addressed the position with a very intriguing player.

What’s There To Like About Kenneth Walker?

Walker is only 25 years old and doesn’t have much tread on his tires, as he was 20th in carries this past season after essentially splitting carries with Zach Charbonnet. Walker was also 16th in rushing yards at 1,027 and tied for 30th in touchdowns at five, with some touchdowns going to Charbonnet.

Kenneth Walker III 3 Games, 4.82 YPC, 139 Scrimmage YPG, 4 TDs in Seahawks Super Bowl run.pic.twitter.com/rOmOp2ZC0p https://t.co/tZJfOW96fH
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) February 9, 2026

Walker is also a player who had the 15th-highest yards per attempt at 4.6, only one fumble. He also had the fifth-highest forced missed tackles at 61, and the sixth-highest explosive runs at 33, according to PFF.

In the postseason, Walker was first in multiple stats like rushing yards at 313, rushing touchdowns at four, yards per attempt at 4.8, forced missed tackles at 16, and explosive runs at 9.

The End Of My Kenneth Walker Rant

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This was a huge swing by the Chiefs to get Walker at a position of need, and this also takes some pressure off Patrick Mahomes, who himself is coming off a Torn ACL. Kansas City now has a legit running game that they can rely on with an extremely talented running back with 901 career rushing attempts.

The only thing that isn’t great about Walker is the fact that he’s not a huge threat in the receiving game, as he was 32nd in pass snaps and targets at 248 and 34. Walker was also 31st in routes run at 196, 30th in receptions at 31, and 18th in receiving yards at 282.

This is a move the Chiefs simply had to make. They couldn’t run it back with the same running back room they had last season, and they made a humongous upgrade with a very explosive player in Walker.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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