Chiefs RB depth chart How Kenneth Walker signing gives Patrick Mahomes Andy Reid major upgrade in backfiel

The will have multiple Super Bowl MVPs on their offense next season. Andy Reid and company made a big splash in the early hours of free agency on Monday, agreeing to a deal with running back Kenneth Walker, The deal will be for three years and $43.05 million, After winning Super Bowl MVP honors with the in February, establishing himself as the market's premiere running back this offseason, Walker is cashing in to join Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs' offense, bringing a star-level option to the backfield. Here's a look at the Chiefs' updated running back depth chart and how Walker will fit in Kansas City. MORE NFL FREE AGENCY: | | Chiefs RB depth chart Rank Player 1 Kenneth Walker 2 Brashard Smith Willie Mccovey Jersey No. 1: Kenneth Walker As things stand, the Chiefs only have two options in their backfield but they can be expected to make further moves for backup options. Regardle s, Kansas City has addre sed one of its biggest offseason needs by signing arguably the best player available. Walker, 25, will bring the kind of electric, bulldozing, up-the-middle runner to the Chiefs' offense that it has lacked in recent years. He posted 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2025, a solid year after also posting a 1,000-yard season and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2022. By signing Walker, the Chiefs are confirming what they have already indicated: they'll be leaning more into their run game in 2026 and the future, aiming to become le s reliant on Mahomes' arm to lead them to wins. Walker is one of the NFL's most effective backs right now, also riding the high of a Super Bowl MVP into the offseason. Kansas City could have pursued options like Travis Etienne or Jeremiyah Love at running back, but instead, Andy Reid is bringing in a short-but-strong, up-the-middle runner who can break off big plays and punch in touchdowns. No. 2: Brashard Smith Because Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both hitting free agency, the Chiefs only have one other running back on their roster: Brashard Smith. While the Chiefs will undoubtedly be finding more backup options, including potential reunions with Pacheco or Hunt, Smith is also an ideal complement to Walker. While Walker doesn't offer much receiving upside, Smith does. He can be a third-down back for Kansas City's offense, still just 22 years old as a 2025 seventh-round draft selection. Smith posted 172 receiving yards and a touchdown on 25 catches last season. For now, Walker is set to start and lead the Chiefs' run game, while Smith will be a third-and-long receiving option for Mahomes. MORE: Chiefs RB history Since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in the 2018 season, here are the team's leading rushers by season: 2018: Kareem Hunt (824 yards) 2019: Damien Williams (498 yards) 2020: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (803 yards) 2021: Darrel Williams (558 yards) 2022: Isiah Pacheco (830 yards) 2023: Isiah Pacheco (935 yards) 2024: Kareem Hunt (728 yards) 2025: Kareem Hunt (611 yards) Walker has a chance to become the first 1,000-yard rusher on a Mahomes-led team, which is remarkable considering the Chiefs' offensive succe s in that era. Pacheco has come the closest to 1,000 yards in a Chiefs uniform since 2018, but all things told, Reid has not had an elite-level running back to rely on since Mahomes took over at quarterback. After years of relying on cheap rookies or veterans, rather than investing in a top-level back, the Chiefs are changing course for 2026 and beyond by adding Walker to their offense. Jackson Merrill Jersey