The Kansas City Chiefs have their new running back. Former Seahawks and Super Bowl LX MVP RB Kenneth Walker III has signed a free agent contract with the Chiefs, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
It’s a three-year, $45 million max deal worth a base of $14.35 million per year, according to an update from Rapoport. $28.7 million of that is fully guaranteed. Walker’s new deal makes him the fourth-highest-paid running back in the league, behind just Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Derrick Henry. The money comes in just a hair above the franchise tag number for running backs.
In 2025, Walker had 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns, adding 31 receptions for 282 yards. He went nuclear in the playoffs, rushing for 313 yards and four touchdowns, along with nabbing nine receptions for 104 yards.
The Kansas City Chiefs Revitalize Their Backfield
GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks stiff arms Craig Woodson #31 of the New England Patriots during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Running back has been a major need for the Chiefs for a few years now. Last season, no Kansas City running back averaged more than four yards per carry. Kareem Hunt led all backs with 611 yards, but that came on 163 carries.
In fact, the Chiefs ranked 25th in the NFL last season in rushing yards per game at 106.6. Kansas City’s running game has been a focal point of their offensive struggles in recent years, and they haven’t had a dominant force in the backfield to take some of the pressure off of two-time MVP QB Patrick Mahomes.
That changes with Walker in the fold. A former second-round pick out of Michigan State, he’s been part of a dynamic backfield tandem in Seattle over the last three years. He really turned it on in crunch time for the Seahawks, delivering clutch performance after clutch performance in the playoffs, culminating in said Super Bowl MVP award.
In his four years with the Seahawks, Walker totaled 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, to go with 133 receptions for 1,005 yards and two touchdowns.
The Kansas City Chiefs Aren’t Done in Free Agency Yet
Though they made the biggest splash the earliest on Monday afternoon, the Chiefs are likely far from done. They still need to address concerns along the defensive line and in the secondary, as well.
The Chiefs do have some money to work with, but some bargain shopping will be necessary as well, especially after all the money they just handed Walker. The Trent McDuffie trade from last week looms large, too — not just for the big hole Kansas City now has at cornerback, but for the draft assets they got back in that deal and the money they saved by doing it.
Overall, signing Walker should be a huge boost to the Chiefs’ offense in 2026. He’s a weapon as a rusher of course, but also as a receiver out of the backfield, and he’ll make Kansas City a lot more multiple moving forward. Expect the Chiefs to continue to be active on the free agent market, especially at defensive tackle and cornerback.
Chiefs Sign Star RB Kenneth Walker to Massive Contract: Report