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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
With the calendar turning to March this weekend, NFL free agency is just around the corner, and the Kansas City Chiefs were named amid the latest news and rumors from the NFL Combine.
Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer provided an update on what he’s been hearing at the Combine late last night on February 26, and he had some Chiefs info to divulge.
“Another day down at the combine…” Breer began. Continuing: “Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III’s situation with the [Seattle] Seahawks remains an interesting one. Presuming the Seahawks decline to tag Walker, the Chiefs loom as an interesting suitor.”
“Now, Andy Reid’s history would tell you that Kansas City might be hesitant to do it,” the veteran insider acknowledged. “But the Chiefs engaged the [New York] Jets before the trade deadline on a potential deal for Breece Hall, and GM Brett Veach said at his press conference here that the team will be actively looking to get more explosive in the run game this offseason.”
Breer went on to note that Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is also considered to be “a more economical way” to upgrade at running back, but added that Love could be off the board before the Chiefs draft at No. 9 overall.
Winning the bidding war for Walker in NFL free agency would give KC one less problem to worry about in the draft.
Breer Says ‘Smart Teams’ Have Been Targeting Top-Tier Running Backs in NFL Free Agency
GettySeattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.
The Chiefs haven’t really spent big money on a free agent running back in quite some time. In recent years, they’ve chosen to get by with draft picks (Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Brashard Smith) and low-budget signings (Kareem Hunt, Jerick McKinnon, Elijah Mitchell, etc.).
Signing Walker would be a major deviation from that strategy, but according to Breer, “smart teams” have started to pivot at the position.
“It’s also worth noting that some pretty smart teams have come around recently on investing at the position, partly on the premise that running backs have been devalued to the point where they’ve become valuable again,” Breer wrote. “You’ll remember, two offseasons ago, the [Philadelphia] Eagles, [Green Bay] Packers and [Baltimore] Ravens—three smart teams—spent big on free agents Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry. Safe to say two seasons later, those were sound investments.”
“Maybe Walker, who might pair nicely with a high draft pick like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate coming in at the receiver spot, would be one too for the Chiefs,” he concluded. “I’d also assume a few other teams, like the [Denver] Broncos and [Houston] Texans, might also see it that way.”
Potential Chiefs Free Agency Target Kenneth Walker Has Been a Steady Runner When Healthy
Considering the news that Javonte Williams has re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys and Hall is likely to be tagged, Walker could be the best RB on the market — assuming Seattle doesn’t change course and work something out.
It’s a little odd to see the Super Bowl MVP potentially switching teams, but Walker’s uncertain injury history could be the reason.
When healthy, the former second-round pick has been as steady a runner as anyone. In 2022 and 2025, Walker rushed for 4.6 yards per carry and accumulated over 1,000 yards.
He also racked up 905 yards on the ground in 2023, appearing in 15-plus games in each of those seasons.
Talk about Walker’s injury history is a little overblown. He’s only really missed significant time in 2024, suiting up for 11 games. Having said that, he’s a guy who’s dealt with nagging injuries throughout his career.
Walker isn’t known for his receiving prowess, but he can contribute out of the backfield when called upon. The 25-year-old has 1,005 career receiving yards, which have been divvied out pretty evenly over the course of his four-year career.
Last but not least, Walker is postseason proven. He averaged a career-high 4.8 yards per carry throughout the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run.
Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the NFL breaking news operation, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller
