Emmett Johnson just gave Andy Reid and the Chiefs a good problem to have

For years, the Kansas City Chiefs' offense struggled to get much going on the ground. Now, with Eric Bieniemy back in the fold and Kenneth Walker III's arrival, they can finally enjoy the benefits of an explosive running game.

However, as good as Walker has been this season, he's human first and foremost. The Chiefs wore him out in the first six games of the campaign, and with plenty of football to be played this season, they have to be mindful of his workload.

That's why they, along with many Chiefs fans, were thrilled to watch rookie fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson break loose in the loss to the Denver Broncos. They're paying Walker the big bucks, but he's made it impossible to keep him on the bench now.

Emmett Johnson proves why he can be trusted as Kenneth Walker’s backup

Johnson had shown flashes in the team's first handful of games, but he hadn't been given many opportunities. Andy Reid finally trusted him at Empower Field, and he responded by turning his lone carry into a big 15-yard gain and hauling in all five of his targets for 128 yards and a touchdown.

While the bulk of his production came on a single play, watching him explode for a 73-yard score showed just why he must be given more opportunities. He can play the same aggressive bully-ball style that helped Isiah Pacheco dominate between the tackles, or he can be more of a lateral threat and explode for big gains once he turns the corner.

Of course, the Chiefs signed Walker to a three-year, $43 million deal, so there's no doubt that he'll continue to be the workhorse back as he should. That said, there's no need to wear him out this early in the season when they have a solid backup who's perfectly capable of making plays.

The Chiefs' offense needs to be more consistent, and trusting the youngsters could be crucial to that. The passing game can't string together solid drives, yet they don't seem too eager to give Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen more opportunities.

Johnson was getting the same treatment, but keeping him off the field after what he showed he can do would be a disservice to this team. They don't need Walker to dominate in November; they need him to be at his best in late December, and turning to the rookie more often will be the best way to guarantee he'll be healthy and fresh at that point.

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