Running back Kenneth Walker III. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Patrick Mahomes' gesture helped RB Kenneth Walker III feel at home after joining Chiefs in free agency

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 3:41 PM ET

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes made running back Kenneth Walker III feel right at home after joining the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.

The Chiefs agreed to a three-year, $43.05M deal with former Seattle Seahawks star Walker on Monday, when the legal tampering period began. The deal became official after the new league year started on Wednesday.

How Patrick Mahomes reacted to Kenneth Walker III signing

Shortly after Walker announced he was joining the Chiefs on X, Mahomes reposted it, writing, "Let's go." He has since contacted the RB by phone.

"We talked on the phone. He's a real genuine person," Walker said of Mahomes in his introductory news conference on Thursday.

LETS GO!! https://t.co/uWTcgunFTi
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 9, 2026

In Walker's mind, Mahomes' warm welcome further confirmed he made the right decision signing with the Chiefs.

"You feel appreciated and wanted," Walker said. "Everybody wants that. ...I'm just trying to get another [Super Bowl ring]."

He could certainly do that in Kansas City, which has won three Super Bowls since the 2019 season.

Why Kenneth Walker III could help the Chiefs hoist another Lombardi Trophy

It's no wonder Mahomes couldn't hide his excitement after the Chiefs signed Walker. They struggled to run the ball last season, one reason they went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season.

The Chiefs ranked 24th in the league in rushing yards per game (106.6) in 2025. Mahomes finished third on the team in rushing yards (422) and second in rushing touchdowns (five).

Mahomes, who's aiming for a Week 1 return after tearing the ACL in his left knee in December 2025, should run less next season. The addition of Walker should ensure he shoulders much less responsibility in the ground game.

Walker ranked 16th in the league in rushing yards (1,027 in 17 games for Seattle) during the regular season and first in the postseason (313). He won Super Bowl LX MVP in a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots after running for 135 yards on 27 carries.

Mahomes must have envisioned Walker lifting another Lombardi in a Chiefs jersey when he heard they would be teammates next season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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