Kansas City Chiefs Sign Kenneth Walker
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have secured a significant boost to their roster by signing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to a three-year contract that could reach $45 million, according to a source who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday. The agreement is set to provide Walker with $28.7 million in guaranteed money, while the base value of the contract is estimated at $43.05 million. However, as the new NFL league year does not commence until Wednesday, the details of the contract remain unofficial.
Addressing the Running Back Void
This acquisition addresses a critical void for the Chiefs, who experienced a challenging 6-11 season and are in need of reinforcements at the running back position. With free agents Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco likely departing, Kansas City was left with Brashard Smith as their only running back under contract for the upcoming season.
In addition to bringing Walker on board, the Chiefs are also in discussions to re-sign Travis Kelce, a four-time All-Pro tight end, for what would be his 14th season, as revealed by the anonymous source.
Kenneth Walker’s Impact
Drafted in the second round in 2022, Walker has made a significant impact during his time with the Seattle Seahawks, amassing 3,555 rushing yards and running for 29 touchdowns over four seasons. His performance peaked during the recent playoffs, where he tallied 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, and excelled in the postseason with standout performances, including 135 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl win against the Patriots.
Unique in his status as a Super Bowl MVP, Walker joins the ranks of past winners who switched teams after their championship run, including Larry Brown, Desmond Howard, and Dexter Jackson.
Chiefs’ Rushing Challenges
The Chiefs have historically patched together their running back corps with lower-round draft choices and affordable free-agent signings, but their 2022 campaign, which saw them finish 25th in the league for rushing with an average of 106.6 yards per game, exposed the urgent need for improvement at this key position. Last season, Hunt accumulated 661 rushing yards, while Pacheco managed 462. Notably, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the team’s third-leading rusher with 422 yards before an injury sidelined him for the last three games.
Looking Ahead to the NFL Draft
Looking ahead to the NFL draft, Kansas City had its sights set on standout running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame. However, after an impressive performance at the scouting combine, it appears he may now be out of reach by the time the Chiefs pick at number nine overall. Kansas City also holds the 29th pick in the first round, acquired from the Rams as part of a trade involving cornerback Trent McDuffie.
By adding Walker in free agency, the Chiefs have gained invaluable flexibility in the draft to address other pressing concerns, including their pass rush, defensive line, offensive line depth, and wide receiver needs.
