Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III has been active and visible since arriving in Kansas City, participating at the front of running back drills during Wednesday’s Organized Team Activity and even stepping into offensive line pass‑blocking work to help teammates, according to observations at the practice.
Walker, 25, also ran red‑zone routes with receivers Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton and remained close to quarterback Patrick Mahomes between periods to review pre‑snap audibles and other schematic details, Mahomes said. The interaction underscored Walker’s effort to learn the offense quickly after signing with the Chiefs in free agency.
Kansas City signed Walker to a three‑year, $43.05 million contract in March, including $28.7 million fully guaranteed, and the club expects him to shoulder more of the rushing responsibility than any back in the Mahomes era. Under Mahomes, the offense has been heavily centered on the quarterback, a run that has produced three championships, five Super Bowl appearances and two league MVP awards for Mahomes.
The Chiefs brought Walker in with the aim of easing Mahomes’ workload as the quarterback recovers from a December torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. The team is seeking a more traditional running threat capable of carrying the offense when necessary and hopes Walker can become the franchise’s first 1,000‑yard rusher since 2017; team officials have compared the hoped‑for impact to Saquon Barkley’s 2024 arrival in Philadelphia.
Teammates and coaches praised Walker’s approach at OTAs. Safety Alohi Gilman described him as quiet, unassuming and focused, and called him a high‑caliber runner, while veteran guard Trey Smith and coach Andy Reid noted Walker’s toughness and commitment — Reid pointed out that Walker has not missed a day of the offseason program. Walker will wait until the Sept. 14 season opener against the Denver Broncos to display his contributions in a regular‑season game.
