The Kansas City Chiefs completely revamped their running back room for the 2026 NFL season, starting with the team’s biggest offseason acquisition.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker to a $43.05 million deal this offseason, fresh off a year in which Walker averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 266 carries, 1,180 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns. He added 41 receptions for 377 yards, all en route to a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks.

As training camp has been underway in St. Joseph, Missouri, it’s become increasingly apparent that Walker is going to be a massive part of this team. His impact extends beyond on-field prowess. Walker has already established himself as a leader in the locker room during his short time in Kansas City.

Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Veach spoke about the addition of Walker, who he believes is a do-it-all player at running back.

“I certainly spent a lot of time to kind of recreate and re-envision that room, and think we have a really good blend of guys that have, you know, a different skill set, different characteristics,” Veach began. “But I think you start at the top with the Super Bowl MVP (Kenneth Walker III). I think he checks off all the boxes, and I mean, even guys like Pat (Mahomes) and Travis (Kelce). I mean, we’re four or five days into camp, and they’re like, ‘This guy’s just… we haven’t had anything like this in a long time,’ and greatness can identify greatness, right? But I mean, it’s funny. Like when you sign him, you get this. Well, he’s a first-, second-down type running back. No, he can do everything.”

Veach isn’t the only one who believes strongly in Walker’s abilities, though. With the preseason right around the corner, the biggest stars on the Chiefs have all shared what they believe about the team’s No. 9.

Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and Chris Jones all see something special in Kenneth Walker

Walker is already looking like the next franchise pillar in the eyes of an all-time great like TE Travis Kelce. The veteran tight end’s endorsement carries significant weight in a locker room that has won three Super Bowl titles in the last seven seasons.

“You know, Ken Walker’s gonna be a hell of a ball player for us,” Kelce said. “If you didn’t know that already, you know. He’s got every trait you could possibly want at the running back position, and on top of that, his mentality, how smart he is, his physicality, his aggression, and how he runs with the football and just plays the game. I can’t say enough about him as a teammate. We got an absolute superstar on and off the field in K9.”

Kelce isn’t the only one who feels this way about Walker. When asked what intrigues him most heading into the 2026 NFL season, Chiefs star QB Patrick Mahomes pointed solely to Walker and his potential impact. For a quarterback who has played alongside elite talent at every position group throughout his career, singling out the new running back speaks volumes about what Mahomes has seen during the early portions of camp.

“Number nine (RB Kenneth Walker). That’s all I can say, that right there, that change in the ability to catch, run, pass protect, do everything. You make a play out of nothing to a 20-yard gain. That’s going to be the biggest impact, I think we’ll have, and then just to find the ways to get him to football.”

The praise for Walker extends beyond the offensive side of the ball. Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had a lot to say after practicing against Walker at training camp. Jones, one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL, has gone against some of the best running backs in the league throughout his career. His perspective on what Walker brings to Kansas City adds another layer of credibility to the growing buzz around the new addition.

“He’s explosive,” Jones said. “A little guy, but an explosive guy. He’s got us on a couple screens already. He’s fast too, fast and shifty with great vision. I’m excited to have him on our squad.”

Walker looks to be exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs needed

The games still need to be played to see Walker’s true impact on this offense. However, the early returns seem positive. If this is what the team’s biggest stars are saying about Walker publicly, just imagine what’s echoing throughout the locker room about the running back.

Actually, we don’t have to imagine much. Second-year OT Jaylon Moore gave us the perfect snapshot.

“I don’t really know what to say,” Moore said of Walker. “He is a freak. I mean, it’s crazy to see. Sometimes you be like, ‘I don’t know how you did that,’ but I mean, it’s been awesome to see.”

The needs at running back were clear entering the offseason. Kansas City paid a premium to bring Walker in, though the cost looks better by the day. The early indications from training camp suggest Veach may have found exactly the player this roster needed.