Kenneth Walker signing with Chiefs is already drawing criticism after reports said the former Seattle Seahawks running back agreed to a three-year contract with Kansas City worth up to $45 million. Following the news, Denver Sports’ Andrew Mason said the Chiefs may have overpaid, pointing to Walker’s reported $28.7 million in full guarantees and $15 million average annual value.
The deal matters now because Kansas City moved quickly to land one of the top running backs on the market at the opening of the legal negotiating window. Reuters reported the agreement Monday, with the contract able to become official when the new league year begins on Wednesday.
That places him third among NFL RBs in full guarantees (behind Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty’s rookie deal) and T-3 in APY (tied with Derrick Henry).
Bit of an overpay, IMO
Andrew Mason of Denver 1043 Labels Kenneth Walker Contract ‘Bit of an Overpay’
Mason’s criticism focused on the size of the contract relative to the running back market.
According to the reported terms, Walker’s deal places him near the top of the NFL at his position in both guarantees and annual value. Mason argued that is rich for a player who has flashed star-level ability but has not consistently produced like the very top backs over multiple seasons.
That’s the tension behind this signing. Walker is coming off a huge postseason run, including a Super Bowl MVP performance, and Kansas City is clearly betting that explosiveness will translate in its offense. But critics see risk in paying premium money based on upside and recent momentum rather than a longer elite track record.
Chiefs Sign Kenneth Walker
Kansas City’s decision stands out because the Chiefs have not typically made this kind of financial commitment at running back.
Walker gives the offense a younger, more explosive playmaker in the backfield, and that may be exactly what the Chiefs were targeting after uneven production from the position in recent seasons. Reuters noted Walker has 34 career runs of 20 or more yards, which helps explain why Kansas City was willing to spend aggressively.
Another important detail is timing. The agreement is in place during the legal negotiating period, but it cannot become official until the new league year opens. That gives this story another immediate angle as more contract details and Chiefs reaction emerge.
Kenneth Walker Stats
Walker’s production helps explain both the excitement and the criticism.
Reuters reported he has 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 59 career regular-season games. He also played all 17 games in 2025, a notable development after durability had been a question earlier in his career.
Supporters will point to his age, big-play ability and postseason breakout as reasons the deal makes sense. Skeptics will point to the price tag and argue Kansas City paid him like a sure-fire top-tier back.
That’s why Mason’s “bit of an overpay” line is likely to follow this story. If Walker becomes the dynamic missing piece in the Chiefs’ offense, the contract will look justified. If not, the money will remain the headline.
What happens next?
The next questions are how Kansas City structures the deal, what Walker’s arrival means for the Chiefs’ backfield rotation, and whether this move signals a bigger shift in how the offense wants to play.
Kenneth Walker Signing with Chiefs Labeled an ‘Overpay’ by Analyst