Since the departure of former Chiefs superstar Jamaal Charles, it feels like the Kansas City Chiefs have been on a hunt for their next big-time running back. Aside from a very abbreviated stint for Kareem Hunt the first time around, from Spencer Ware to Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs' search for a franchise back has remained constant. On Monday, they got their guy.
Kenneth Walker signed a massive three-year, $45 million contract, the largest free agent deal ever given to a running back. A former second-round pick in the 2022 draft out of Michigan State, Walker was a player who many analysts felt was the top pure runner in the class. Walker has two seasons with over 1,000 yards rushing, as well as a third season with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
The Chiefs knew they had to invest in a running back after their struggles in 2025, and the team has not had a 1K-yard rusher since 2017. They did just that by getting this year's Super Bowl MVP on a big-time contract, but one that comes with plenty of flexibility for the team.
At face value, Walker has a clean $15 million APY, but his contract has just $28.7 million in guaranteed money. This means the Chiefs are given $17 million in flexibility to move some of the money around on Walker's contract and, if he struggles, can recoup some of that cap space by cutting him in year three.
Kenneth Walker III is signing a 3-year, $45M max deal with $28.7M fully guaranteed. (via @RapSheet) https://t.co/UQ2eSzNJpS
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026
This flexibility is a big deal, especially at a position with a high injury rate and typically shorter careers. Walker himself has a bumpy injury history, and with this contract, both sides get what they are looking for: Walker gets paid, and the Chiefs get an elite running back on a fairly safe contract.
Now Walker becomes a primary weapon on a team that desperately needs to diversify its offense after its struggles in 2025. He joins a strong offensive line that features the best center in the NFL, Creed Humphrey, and two-time Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith. With Patrick Mahomes coming off a major knee injury, the Chiefs will need a strong run game to keep the offense balanced and take some pressure off him and Travis Kelce to carry things.
This behind a better offensive line than he had in Seattle 🍆🍆 pic.twitter.com/V7FN4lIH5W
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) March 9, 2026
The Chiefs' offense lacked a rushing attack all last season, and overall, the running game generated only 22 rushes of over 15 yards. Walker alone accumulated 33 such plays with Seattle last season, bringing a much-needed rushing threat to the Chiefs' offense, which has been lacking one for some time. Now that they have it, the Chiefs hope their offense can return to the dominance they once had over the NFL during their 10-year playoff run.
The biggest priority for Kansas City this offseason was always adding a big-time running back to feature in the offense. Now the Chiefs' focus shifts to the rest of free agency, where they will look to add depth and continue building as they aim to return to the Super Bowl in 2025.