The Kansas City Chiefs acted quickly to fill their biggest need of the 2026 NFL offseason shortly after the legal tampering period opened. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs will sign Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III when the new league year begins on March 11.

With just two running backs under contract ahead of the 2026 NFL free agency period, the Chiefs were in desperate need of adding a player at the position. Even more so, they needed to add a player after a disappointing 2025 NFL season in the rushing game, in which the team was efficient but failed to generate many explosive plays of 20 yards or more.

They were connected to several running backs, but they ultimately went with Walker after his win with the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

Chiefs signing RB Kenneth Walker III in 2026 NFL free agency will solve their biggest problem from a season ago

This was clearly the biggest need for the Chiefs, and they’re getting a player at the prime of his career who can be the true bellcow running back they need.

“I don’t think Walker could have picked a better time to play the best football of his career if he tried. The RB is coming off a monster playoff run that culminated in him being named Super Bowl MVP. Now he gets to look back on his firming Seattle fondly and start a new journey with the Chiefs. Walker is at his best when asked to kick a run outside, where he is going to be the defender to the edge nine times out of ten. His speed sneaks up on you a bit because it takes him a bit longer to find his top speed, but once he does, he can gas defenses down the sideline. He’s had a weird usage rate in recent years, but he showed in the playoffs what he can do as the featured back. He will get the chance to do that at a higher rate now in Kansas City.” – A to Z Sports’ Destin Adams

Walker entered the league as a second-round pick out of Michigan State in 2021. The 25-year-old is coming off the most productive season of his NFL career, starting 20 combined games between the regular season and postseason. During that span, he amassed 326 touches for 1,726 total yards and nine total touchdowns. That includes three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances en route to winning Super Bowl LX MVP.

Where did Kenneth Walker rank in A to Z Sports’ Top-100?

Final rank: No. 7

“Kenneth Walker was absolutely sensational in the Super Bowl, and that should be the sign every team needed to know that Walker is capable of handling a full workload. He does it all as a rusher and receiver, and his production would skyrocket once he becomes a full-time lead back somewhere not in Seattle. Walker would be a natural fit in an outside zone offense, but he can fit into any scheme across the league.” – AJ Schulte

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