Chiefs Sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to $43.05M Deal

Kansas City adds elite running back to bolster offense after down 2025 season

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:18pm

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The Kansas City Chiefs have signed free agent running back Kenneth Walker III to a 3-year, $43.05 million contract. Walker, the MVP of Super Bowl LX, is expected to significantly improve the Chiefs' struggling ground game after they ranked 25th in rushing yards per game last season.

Why it matters

The Chiefs are under pressure to bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing 6-11 campaign, especially with quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL. Adding an elite running back like Walker should take some of the burden off Mahomes and give Kansas City a more balanced offensive attack.

The details

Walker, 25, is coming off a stellar 2025 season where he rushed for 1,027 yards and 5 touchdowns. He forced 86 missed tackles and had 971 rushing yards after contact, showcasing his ability to create yards on his own. The Chiefs have struggled to find a consistent running game in recent years, with Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco failing to provide a true game-changing presence in the backfield.

  • Kenneth Walker signed with the Chiefs on March 10, 2026.

The players

Kenneth Walker III

A 25-year-old running back who was the MVP of Super Bowl LX and is joining the Chiefs on a 3-year, $43.05 million contract.

Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs' star quarterback who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the 2025 season.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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What they’re saying

“Kansas City immediately has a much better running game now that Walker is in town.”

— Ben Strauss, Author

“Walker should become a part of Kansas City's identity on offense. He will have plenty of opportunities to prove that he's worth every penny of his $43.05 million contract.”

— Ben Strauss, Author

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to integrate Walker into their offense as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and compete for a Super Bowl title in 2026.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' signing of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to a lucrative 3-year deal is a clear sign they are committed to rebuilding their running game and taking pressure off quarterback Patrick Mahomes as he recovers from injury. This move could pay major dividends if Walker can recapture his dominant 2025 form and help Kansas City return to the playoffs.