NFL Insider says Kansas City Chiefs are out on top free agent running back before 2026 NFL free agency even begins

Well, the thought of adding Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker was fun while it lasted.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to be heavily involved in the running back market during the 2026 NFL free agency period, but we’re now learning what their budget at the position may truly be.

On Tuesday, it became clear that two of the top players at the position, Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker and Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr., would reach free agency after their soon-to-be former teams did not elect to use the franchise tag. Because of that, we know that neither player is valued at nearly $15M per year.

Could Walker or Etienne be realistic targets for Kansas City during free agency? CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones provided an update on where things stand at the running back position ahead of free agency.

The Chiefs are ready to strike at running back, but Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker is out of their price range

To no one’s surprise, Jones states that the Chiefs will not be waiting to address the running back position in the 2026 NFL Draft and aim to add one in free agency. They know there are no guarantees that the top prospect, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, will make it to them at No. 9 overall. The kicker? They seem to have budget constraints that could keep them from getting involved in Kenneth Walker’s market.

“The Chiefs appear ready to strike at the running back position this month,” Jones wrote. “They don’t think Jeremiyah Love will fall to them at No. 9 (a few of our draft analysts have him going one spot earlier, to New Orleans), so Kansas City won’t wait until the draft. The Chiefs may not be in the mix for a top-of-market player like Kenneth Walker III, but a player in that $8 million per year area could be one for them.”

The area of $8 million per year would likely put Kansas City out of range for the reigning Super Bowl MVP in Walker, on the cusp of affording an Etienne Jr., and more in the market for Tyler Allgeier, Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, and Rachaad White types.

The Chiefs could have some AFC West competition in the running back market

Jones also added to this conversation that the Denver Broncos are looking to make a splash at the running back position during free agency. He says Denver is the reason the New York Jets placed the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the cheaper transition tag. He also added that the Broncos are a natural fit for Kenneth Walker, but could opt for Travis Etienne Jr. at a lower price tag instead. The Jacksonville Jaguars are also seemingly in on the competition for Kenneth Walker, with new Jags GM James Gladstone mentioned as someone who marches to the beat of his own drum.

All-in-all, it sounds like securing an S-Tier running back in this free agency class might not be as easy as Chiefs GM Brett Veach tapping his heels together. Finding the right guy in that second tier of players to complement another addition through the 2026 NFL Draft might be as good as it gets for Kansas City.

A to Z Sports’ Top 7 Free Agent Running Backs

  • Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker
  • Jaguars RB Travis Etienne
  • Jets RB Breece Hall (tagged)
  • Cowboys RB Javonte Williams (extended)
  • Panthers RB Rico Dowdle
  • Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier
  • Broncos RB JK Dobbins

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