Chiefs agree to terms with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III
Walker comes off his second career 1,000-yard rushing season
The Chiefs made a move Monday during the NFL’s open-negotiation period to upgrade the running backs position.
And it brings with it the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
The Chiefs and running back Kenneth Walker III agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The NFL Network first reported the transaction.
Walker then took to social media shortly after the news broke in an apparent confirmation by posting a photo of himself in a Chiefs uniform.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes quote-tweed Walker with a simple message: “LETS GO!!”
Walker’s arrival will become official at the start of the NFL’s new calendar year on March 11.
He represents an immediate upgrade to the Chiefs’ run game, which has floundered in recent seasons and ranked 25th in the NFL in 2025.
Coach Andy Reid expressed a desire to establish a run game during his end-of-season recap media session.
“We’ve got to run the ball more efficiently, especially on first or second down on those run downs in those run situations just to stay positive with that,” Reid said on Jan. 5. “Somewhere you’d like to have a few bigger plays in that area. Not 3, 4 four yards, every once in a while, you need to hit on a few.”
As a follow up at the recent NFL Scouting Combine, general manager Brett Veach used the word “explosive” three times in his desire to get the run game going.
“Certainly, we want to get more explosive in the running game,” Veach said on Feb. 24. “We’ve invested in that interior with Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey, two of the best in the league and we thought Kingsley (Suamataia) made a big step. Those are three talented interior players.
“We’ve talked about it and Coach (Reid) has done an amazing job with his staff cranking on that scheme eval, but I think being more explosive in the running game and really taking advantage of those interior three to impose your will on an opposing team’s defense.”
Consider the weakness addressed with the addition of an explosive and powerful player like Walker.
The 5-foot-9, 211-pound Walker comes off a 2025 season with the Seattle Seahawks where he posted his second career 1,000-yard rushing campaign (1,027), helping the Seahawks win the NFC West and eventually the Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots.
He totaled 135 yards rushing on 27 carries against the Patriots, adding two catches for 26 yards en route to earning MVP honors in the championship game.
Walker, who turns 26 on Oct. 20, entered the NFL in 2022 out of Michigan State as a second-round pick with the Seahawks.
He has appeared in 58 career games with 54 starts, totaling 3,555 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns on 821 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He’s also versatile, evidenced by 133 career catches for 1,005 yards and two touchdowns.
Walker has two 1,000-yard rushing campaigns to his name since entering the NFL. In comparison, the Chiefs haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since the 2017 season when Kareem Hunt totaled 1,327 yards.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are now well-equipped within the coaching ranks to get the most out of Walker in Reid’s version of the West Coast Offense.
In addition to the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, a former NFL running back, the Chiefs hired DeMarco Murray, another former NFL running back, to coach the position group.
Having an improved running game takes on importance in 2026 because of Mahomes returning from a torn ACL and LCL.
Walker’s presence should help.
“The running game takes a lot of pressure off of everybody,” Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “So, I think if we can be more explosive and more effective in the running game – obviously – we take a lot of pressure off Pat (Mahomes), especially coming back early in the season with an injury.”