Here's why RB Kenneth Walker III felt the Chiefs were a 'great fit'
Walker brings much-needed explosive speed, proven production to Chiefs' new-look backfield
The Chiefs made a splash in free agency by signing running back with Kenneth Walker III.
Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, was all smiles on Thursday when he addressed the media during his introductory news conference.
While he revealed there was interest from other teams around the NFL, the Chiefs proved to be an ideal spot for him.
“It’s a winning culture,” Walker told reporters. “Watching over the years, been to plenty of Super Bowls and they know how to win. So, I felt like it’s a great fit for me.”
The Chiefs clearly felt the same way after signing Walker to a three-year, $43 million contract with a reported $28.7 million guaranteed, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs.
The money that Kansas City spent to get their prized free-agent signing isn’t lost on Walker.
“It means a lot,” Walker said. “It shows appreciated and wanted; that’s what everybody wants.”
The 5-foot-9, 211-pound Walker earned his lucrative payday on the heels of helping the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. He gashed the Patriots for 135 yards rushing on 27 carries, averaging 5 yards per carry, and added two catches for 26 yards in the championship game.
Walker, 25, further proved his worth in four seasons with the Seahawks, appearing in 58 career games (54 starts) and totaling 3,555 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns on 821 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He has two career 1,000-yard rushing campaigns, which came in 2022 and 2025.
The Chiefs under Andy Reid run a version of the West Coast offense, which tends to operate well with a versatile running back. And Walker should fit as a receiver out of the backfield, evidenced by 133 career catches for 1,005 yards and two touchdowns.
Newly signed and former New England Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, who addressed the media after Walker, appreciates the running back’s skill set.
“Man, super, super smart back,” Tonga told reporters. “Very patient, hits the holes when they’re there.
“He can find the A-gap, go all the way down to the D-gap, hit all the way to the sideline, and we saw it. The run was supposed to go in, they ended up going out, he’d pick up about 40 yards. He’s going to be a fun player to be able to watch. I’m glad I’m on his side.”
Meanwhile, coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and running backs coach DeMarco Murray have a new weapon to incorporate in the offense.
And in addition to his proven production, Walker’s explosive speed, which produced a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, provides another dynamic to the Chiefs’ offense.
“I think it will make a great impact,” Walker said of his speed. “We got a lot of guys that got speed on this team, a lot of great players. … Everybody is just going to come together and play as a team.”
Walker is expected to energize the Chiefs’ run game, which ranked a dismal 25th in the NFL last season, and he has time to immerse himself in the Chiefs’ playbook.
But for now, and until the pads come on, he looks forward to absorbing everything while getting to know his new teammates in the locker room.
“I’m just happy to get in here and be able to get to know the guys and work,” Walker said.