Over the past six weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs have laid the groundwork for an improved run game in 2026. That process began with a reunion with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. A few weeks later, the team brought DeMarco Murray on board to be their next running backs coach. Between the two, they have a combined 29 years at the NFL level, either playing or coaching the position.
That kind of rich positional knowledge and experience is a boon for what was arguably the league’s worst running back room last season. That brain trust, with an infusion of talent, creates some intriguing possibilities for the Chiefs' offense.
Kenneth Walker Changes the Ceiling
With that foundation in place, the Chiefs started the free‑agent frenzy by signing Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth “K9” Walker. The addition gives Kansas City the most dynamic running back the team has had in the Patrick Mahomes era. Having a back who can tilt the field and create explosive plays on his own is something this offense has lacked for years.
As he showed in Super Bowl LX, Walker’s ability to shed tackles translates directly into big gains. He ripped off 33 runs of 10‑plus yards in 2025, a top‑six mark leaguewide, and his 14.9 percent explosive run rate trailed only two running backs in the entire NFL. That kind of efficiency is exactly what Kansas City has been missing. His burst and acceleration allow him to turn the smallest window into a big play. As the team’s new lead dog, the ceiling is already significantly higher than it’s been in quite some time.
Demercado Stabilizes Third-Down Role
Another sneaky‑good signing for the Kansas City Chiefs is former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado. The three‑year veteran originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but quickly carved out a role in Arizona. Now he comes to Kansas City as a versatile piece who’ll serve in a dedicated third‑down role. He’s adept in pass protection, offers reliable hands out of the backfield, and brings some big‑play potential of his own.
Demercado put some impressive things on tape in his rookie and sophomore seasons. Over that stretch, he consistently showed the ability to hit long runs, finishing near the top of the league in rushing touchdowns of 45 yards or more. He’s not a volume player, but he stabilizes the room with his specialization and complements Walker’s skill set.
RB2 Question Isn't Solved
While the additions of Walker and Demercado are strong moves, I don’t buy the idea that the Chiefs are suddenly out of the running back business in the 2026 NFL Draft. As it stands, there is still an RB2‑sized hole in the backfield. Kareem Hunt remains a free agent at the moment, and Isiah Pacheco has moved on to the Detroit Lions. No one else on the roster slots cleanly into the backup role.
Brashard Smith has not shown enough yet to command a larger workload. Unless Kansas City brings Hunt back, which is a real possibility, the team could look to a Day 3 pick to round out the room. There is also the chance that another affordable veteran surfaces in the next wave of free agency. Either way, the need is real and has to be addressed between now and the start of training camp.
Brashard Smith's Path Gets Tight
The addition of Demercado complicates the path to the roster for second‑year man Brashard Smith. I am not confident the Chiefs will carry four running backs. Even if they did, Smith would likely need to win one or both return jobs on special teams to be active on game days. He has not made enough of a case offensively to avoid being squeezed out of the rotation.
Smith can catch the ball out of the backfield, but pass protection is still an area where his game needs improvement. There is no reason to think he will step into the backup role yet. He struggled as a runner last season, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry on 44 rushing attempts. His best bet to stick is to handle punts, kicks, or both in 2026.
The Chiefs have done well to restructure the running back room, but the work is not finished. Walker and Demercado give this backfield more juice than it has had in years, yet the team still needs a dependable RB2 before training camp. Whether that player comes from free agency or the back third of the draft remains to be seen. For now, the foundation is stronger, but the room is not complete.