Certainly, one of the more exciting offseason storylines for the Kansas City Chiefs has been the influx of talent across the board in the running back room. Gone are the days of Isiah Pacheco slamming into Creed Humphrey’s ass due to his lack of field vision and Kareem Hunt's slow-moving legs.
Instead, Brett Veach decided to remedy the situation quickly in free agency and signed reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker to a three-year, $43 million contract. Veach then doubled down and drafted former Nebraska Cornhusker Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Throughout training camp, it’s clear that Patrick Mahomes has taken to Walker’s elite skill set and trusts that, for the first time in his career, he might benefit from a 1,000-yard rusher. As for Johnson, his ascension this summer has been one that has both coaches and fans excited.
And don’t forget second-year scat back/returner Brashard Smith, who has drawn praise directly from Andy Reid himself in terms of improved muscle mass and pass-blocking prowess. Not to mention Smith’s blend of speed and burst upfield.
Kansas City set to feature biggest offseason addition early and often, propelling Chiefs' offense to past heights
When Brett Veach decided to keep just three running backs on the roster, it surprised me, among many other Chiefs fans who believed in the vision that Emari Demercado could be a plus-third down back. But his release reinforces a couple of things, in my opinion.
The Chiefs love what they’ve seen from Emmett Johnson in every facet of the game. And Walker is the clear number-one option and should be in line for the majority of the work. The last time the Chiefs had a guy even close to Walker’s caliber was rookie Kareem Hunt in 2017.
Reid wasn’t shy with how many touches he gave Hunt that year either. 272 rushes and another 53 catches on 63 targets. He produced nearly 1,800 yards and double-digit scores. While I don’t believe that Walker will get that many opportunities, I don’t think it’ll be far off.
Kenneth Walker’s Projected 2026 Statline - 240 Rushing Attempts 1,056 Rushing Yards 4.4 YPC 11 TDs 49 Targets 40 Receptions 352 Receiving Yards 2 TDs 2 Fumbles Lost
Before last season, when Walker was available and played the entire regular season plus three games during the Seahawks playoff run, he’d been due to miss at least two games over his first three seasons. I don’t see that being any different just because he’s wearing a different jersey. I have Walker playing in just 15 games and still putting up top-end numbers. Both his rushing yardage and touchdown count would mark career highs, and his 4.4 YPC is right in line with his career average behind an elite Chiefs interior offensive line.
I am extremely intrigued to see how they introduce Walker to the screen game, as he has always had a knack for making plays in the open field. His career-high reception mark of 46 was set in 2024, but his projected receiving yardage would mark a career high at just under nine yards per catch. Another two scores through the air will work fine, and while Walker’s never had a fumbling issue, two lost in a year where he’s seeing nearly 300 touches is nothing to worry about.
Emmett Johnson’s Projected 2026 Statline - 97 Rushing Attempts 407 Rushing Yards 4.2 YPC 3 TDs 23 Targets 18 Receptions 142 Receiving Yards 1 TDs 1 Fumble Lost
As for the rookie Johnson, over 500 total scrimmage yards may seem a tad too optimistic, but he really did look the part in preseason action. And when you account for him receiving the majority of the work in Walker’s two-game projected absence, I think it’s a fair assessment.
Brashard Smith’s Projected 2026 Statline - 27 Rushing Attempts 102 Rushing Yards 3.8 YPC 0 TDs 18 Targets 13 Receptions 95 Receiving Yards 1 TD 2 Fumbles Lost
As for Smith, I wanted to give him more opportunities, but frankly, I’m just not sure, despite the glimpses we continue to see in preseason and training camps, if the wide receiver commit has truly found a groove at his new position. Undergone some promising improvements this offseason? Sure. But not to the point where he'll be in any position to be taking touches away from Walker or Johnson.
I really am buying into the Kenneth Walker hype. And I hope it works out; at least it should, given the investment he received from Kansas City. Under new position coach DeMarco Murray and RB guru Eric Bieniemy, I foresee, for the first time in years, that defenses will have to respect the Chiefs' running game and, at times, even fear it.
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