During the NFL playoffs, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was reportedly texting general manager Brett Veach about wanting Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker on the team if he hit free agency.
Mahomes’ advocating worked, as the Chiefs signed the 25-year-old Super Bowl MVP to a three-year, $43.05 million deal back in March.
But it wasn’t just the money that led Walker to Kansas City. The two-time 1,000-yard rusher admitted during an appearance on “Up & Adams” that the opportunity to play with Mahomes was also an enticing proposition.
“I feel like [Mahomes] had a lot to do with it,” Walker said. “He’s the best quarterback in the league, so I feel like he got a lot of power in that. I’m glad he does because I’m here now.”
In his eight seasons as the Chiefs’ starter, Mahomes has won three Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL MVPs, an Offensive Player of the Year award, three All-Pro selections, and six Pro Bowls — but he’s never had a 1,000-yard rusher.
Walker has hit that mark twice in his our-year career, and the Chiefs are banking on him doing so again in 2026. And he’s already hit the ground running. In fact, he and Mahomes have already spent some time together, building a rapport and talking strategy.
“We’ve been working on getting connected in the pass game, so that’s good because I feel like I’ll be used more in the passing game,” Walker stated. “He’s real good at being detailed with the whole team, and I feel like our chemistry is just going to keep building.”
When Mahomes is at his best, he has support in both the run and the pass game.
Kansas City is pretty well set with the running part with Walker, Emari Demercado, Brashard Smith, and rookie Emmett Johnson. But the team is a little thin with pass-catching depth.
Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are penciled in as the WR1 and WR2 with Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Royals behind them on the depth chart and Cyrus Allen (2026 fifth-round pick) and undrafted free agent Jeff Caldwell with a chance to contribute as rookies.
Walker was a strong contributor out of the backfield as a receiver in Seattle. He totaled 133 catches, 1,005 yards, and two touchdowns.
With his pass-catching prowess, the Chiefs could employ a lot more RB screens and check-down passes close to the line of scrimmage, which would help ease Mahomes back into the fold while recovering from ACL surgery.
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