The Kansas City Chiefs are just over one week away from kicking off their 2026 training camp, and there are plenty of intriguing players to watch. Some of those players are big-name veterans, while others are rookies proving they are worthy of a long-term role. One of those rookies to watch this year is running back Emmett Johnson.
The Chiefs have completely overhauled their running back room this offseason. Their biggest free-agent signing at any position this year was Kenneth Walker, who was brought in to turn around KC's struggling rushing attack. Andy Reid's history with star feature backs tells us a lot about how Walker will be used. The Chiefs also signed Emari Demercado, who could quietly be locked into a third-down back role.
The additions of Walker and Demercado give Kansas City a proven feature back and an NFL veteran who can be trusted on third downs. That means rookie Emmett Johnson won't really be forced to contribute unless one of them misses time. So Johnson's involvement in K.C.'s offense will be directly tied to what he shows them in training camp and preseason games.
Based on Johnson's college tape, there is a strong chance that he will be the Chiefs' second-best pure rusher between the tackles from Day 1 as a rookie. Walker should be a lock as the best option there, but neither Demercado nor second-year back Brashard Smith had Johnson's college production running the ball, particularly between the tackles.
That having been said, will Johnson's rushing prove to be good enough to warrant weekly use or just good enough to be an insurance policy to fall back on if Walker is banged up or needs a rest? If Johnson can prove in camp that he's a valuable asset rushing the ball and can help the team right out of the gate, it would allow them to avoid overloading Walker, which would keep him fresh and more explosive. Those explosive plays are a big part of why the Chiefs wanted to bring Walker to KC. So his rushing upside is the first thing to watch at training camp.
The second thing to keep an eye on is just how good Johnson looks catching the ball. Both Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado are solid pass-catching options, but Johnson's 46 receptions last year are more than either Smith or Demercado have had in a single season. With Kenneth Walker being more of an adequate pass catcher who is much better known for his rushing upside, there is a chance that Johnson is the most reliable pass-catching back on the roster.
If Emmett Johnson can prove in training camp and preseason games that he can be a reliable weapon in the passing game, it only gives him more chances to get on the field. Plus, if he proves he's a strong runner between the tackles and can be a valuable pass catcher, it means opposing defenses can't assume what KC is going to do when he is on the field. However, there is one major hurdle he is going to have to clear before Andy Reid trusts him to be on the field on a regular basis.
The final and biggest thing to watch with Emmett Johnson in training camp is his work in pass protection. While pass protection isn't flashy and seems like it would be far less important than a running back's ability to actually make plays with the football in his hands, it could absolutely be the key to Johnson getting much playing time in 2026.
If Kenneth Walker is healthy and gets the majority of KC's carries this season, then the bulk of the running back snaps available when Walker is off the field will go to the back—or backs—that Andy Reid trusts on passing downs. With Reid, that trust is much more reliant on protecting Patrick Mahomes than playmaking upside. Demercado is a veteran who has proven he can pass protect in the NFL. Johnson is a rookie who was average at best in pass protection in college. He is going to have to show real growth in this area during camp to earn time on the field with KC's star QB, who is recovering from a major knee injury.
Eric Bieniemy may be the offensive coordinator, but he's also a former running back and longtime running backs coach whom everyone knows is demanding of his players. Between Bieniemy and new running backs coach DeMarco Murray, Johnson will get the coaching he needs to improve. It's just a question of how much he focuses on and works at this element of his game. Johnson's muscular and compact frame should give him the physical profile to be successful if he puts the work in.
It may not be the most fun element of Johnson's game to focus on, but if Chiefs fans want to know how likely Johnson is to contribute as a rookie, then they should keep a close eye on how he looks in pass protection in training camp. If he can make major strides in that area, he may just earn Andy Reid's trust and could push Demercado for those third-down snaps.
Emmett Johnson is an exciting prospect with the potential to earn a long-term role with the team as Kenneth Walker's primary backup and third-down back, but if he wants a shot at either of those roles as a rookie, he has to prove it in training camp and the preseason, and that is what makes him the most interesting running back to watch when camp kicks off in a couple of weeks.
Add us as a preferred source on Google