The Kansas City Chiefs, who have grown quite accustomed to being on top, fell out of the playoff race last season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
To reach the top of the mountain again, not only are they going to have to get healthy, but they were going to have to make a splash this spring and bolster their roster. It appears that’s exactly what they did by signing Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III.
Kenneth Walker III Joins Kansas City Chiefs on Three-Year Deal
On the first day of the legal tampering period, Walker wasn’t on the open market for long. A former second-round pick who spent the first four years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, Walker agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million with the Chiefs to significantly fortify their backfield.
Walker’s base salary will be $14.35 million per year, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The contract also comes with $28.7 million fully guaranteed for Walker, who is on the heels of the second 1,000-yard rushing campaign of his career.
It’s a 3-year, $45M max deal with a base of $14.35M per year. $28.7M is fully guaranteed. https://t.co/excThEvCv1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
After winning the Super Bowl with the Seahawks, that’s a feeling Walker may want to start getting used to. The Chiefs have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl five times in the last seven years, and they may be favorites to make it a sixth time this season with the addition of Walker, who earned a 68.5 PFSN RB Impact score in 2025.
Walker, who accounted for 161 yards from scrimmage in the game against the New England Patriots last month, should have no problem picking up the slack on the ground for the Chiefs in 2026 and beyond. Both of their leading rushers from last season, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, are entering free agency, and it’s unlikely either one will be retained.
Kenneth Walker III’s 2025 Season With Seattle Seahawks
Walker turned in a solid season in 2025, appearing in all 17 games for the first time in his NFL career. The Seahawks running back breached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second time and averaged a career-best 4.6 yards per carry while catching 31 passes for 282 yards.
Walker ranked among the top 15 running backs in yards per carry and established himself as one of the league’s more elusive runners. His ability to move the chains also helped create scoring opportunities for Zach Charbonnet, who finished the season with 12 rushing touchdowns.
