Kansas City Chiefs fans are understandably excited about the additions to the backfield in Kenneth Walker III, Emari Demercado, and Emmett Johnson. Adding last year's Super Bowl MVP on a reasonable contract to take a level of pressure off Patrick Mahomes and provide missing balance was a decision above being criticized.
With that said, Kansas City needs to be careful with how they utilize Walker as we head into Week 1, understanding that last year's great season with the Seahawks gave an obvious blueprint for how Walker should be managed.
Walker remained healthy throughout all 17 games of the regular season and still only carried the ball 221 times. Zach Charbonnet had 184 carries in the 2025 season, while depth back George Holani added 22 totes of his own. The Seahawks managed his workload, making sure that the star playmaker was fully healthy and peaking come the playoffs.
It clearly paid off as Walker returned the favor in the form of over 400 yards and four touchdowns during the Seahawks three-game Super Bowl playoff run. Now the Chiefs must find a way to replicate that success, but in their own unique way.
Kansas City could learn a thing or two from the Seahawks' management of the reigning Super Bowl MVP
There are two factors to this, with the first being the fact that Patrick Mahomes is still the engine of the offense and will be passing the ball often, lessening the load somewhat. The second factor is the need for Kansas City to have their own version of Charbonnet, who can shoulder a large part of the regular-season load.
Lucky enough for them, both Johnson and Demercado look like guys who can do that. The rookie from Nebraska has shown both an impressive burst in setting up potential big plays while also showing off a level of physicality that will help soften up the defense for Walker. As for Demercado, he is the pass-blocking back on this team and should see much of the receiving duties out of the backfield.
Thrown into the mix as well is second-year, seventh-round pick Brashard Smith, who has looked much improved under Eric Bieniemy and DeMarco Murray's coaching. This young trio gives KC options to keep Walker healthy and playing his best football into January.
It isn't about a lack of ability from Walker, who is undeniably elite, but a need to protect the veteran from taking too much punishment before the games matter most. No question, Kansas City is going to have far more balance in its offense moving forward. Balance that is going to be more than just Walker being leaned on too heavily, with last season showing the exact path the Chiefs must take.
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