The Kansas City Chiefs officially wrapped their first week of OTAs on Thursday, May 28. Plenty of new players are getting their bearings and learning a new system. That includes top free agent signee RB Kenneth Walker III.

Each of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Trey Smith was asked about their first impressions of the former Seattle Seahawks running back. Each of them, in their own way, mentioned something that became quickly apparent at OTAs. Walker is built like he’s shaped from clay.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid says new RB Kenneth Walker is ‘stronger than an Ox’

Leave it to Chiefs HC Andy Reid to compare Walker’s strength to that of an ox. In Chinese Zodiac mythos, Ox are known for their strength, integrity, and resilience. I think that seems to track given Coach Reid’s first impression of his new MVP running back.

“Yeah, he’s doing a good job,” Reid said of Walker. “He’s got a ton of energy, and you can tell he loves to play the game, wants to learn what we’re doing here. He’s coming from a great program, so he gets it. It takes work to be good, and he’s willing to do that. Stronger than an Ox. I mean, he’s put together.”

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says Kenneth Walker can do it all

When Patrick Mahomes was asked about what it’s like to have another Super Bowl MVP in the huddle, he flashed a wicked grin.

“First off, he’s a great dude,” Mahomes said. “I think that’s the first thing I noticed, like you can tell he truly cares about football, he cares about his teammates. If he’s not in the plays, helping the guys on the sideline, and he’s trying to learn, and asking me questions, doing those things. And then, he’s a great football player. I mean, even from what y’all saw today, like it’s special the way he’s able to run the football, catch the football, do everything.”

As for Walker’s strength, Mahomes also took notice. Mahomes, known for his Dad-bod, seems to be a little bit jealous of Walker’s physique.

“I’m kind of built like him,” Mahomes joked. “But not built like him just yet.”

Ultimately, this feels like the beginning of a beautiful partnership that should lead to significant success for the Chiefs.

“He’s going to help us a lot on this team by his mindset and the football player that he is,” Mahomes concluded.

Chiefs RG Trey Smith is ready to block for Kenneth Walker

Smith also knows that Walker is tough, but it’s not his physique that told him that. Walker grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, just 1.5 hours away from Smith’s hometown of Humboldt, Tennessee. He knows that anyone coming from West Tennessee has some grit and toughness about him.

“Every single year we want to establish the run,” Smith said. “We want to be great at runs, so that doesn’t change, but you know, definitely excited to work with K9, Kenneth (Walker). He’s awesome, man. Another West Tennessee native, that’s cool. You know, one of those guys back there. I know he’s tough. It’s a pleasure, man. I’m really excited just to get going, get this offense progressing.”

The pads won’t come on until training camp arrives in July. After just a few short OTAs practices, Smith is quite eager to begin blocking for Walker.

“Yeah, just being a professional, man,” Smith said. “Just hungry to learn, learn our system, just wanting to be great, man. I feel like he has an excellent job, phenomenal job of just going in there, going hard, wanting to be taught, willing to be coached. As I said, I’m really excited to block for him, you know, being a former MVP. Like, it’s a really cool thing to be able to have a running back like that.”