The Kansas City Chiefs have a star running back in defending Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. The rusher was the prized addition of the offseason and gives the franchise a great chance to take pressure off Patrick Mahomes and provide a needed level of balance. With that said, there should also be an understanding that Seattle spent last season lessening the miles on Walker in an effort to keep the back healthy and able to perform at the highest level when the season mattered most.
Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy must understand that this approach needs to be maintained with Walker in the upcoming season. Rookie Emmett Johnson appears to be the team's answer after an incredibly strong preseason. His being able to perfectly fit the role that Seattle handed Zach Charbonnet a season ago would do both the Chiefs and Walker wonders.
While putting up double-digit touchdowns as Charbonnet did last season might be a tad aggressive for Johnson's first season, it is reasonable to expect 140-150 carries. Kansas City will obviously remain a pass-first offense, and they should be. Patrick Mahomes is the quarterback. But Walker and Johnson providing more of a balance, with explosiveness mixed in might propel this Chiefs offense back to its former glory.
Chiefs shouldn't hesitate to put Emmett Johnson in familiar role behind Kenneth Walker
It is exciting to consider the possibilities for the current KC backfield after last season was clearly the league's worst situation. The Chiefs not only have an incredibly exciting starter in Walker, but a rookie who appears capable of stepping into a role that Seattle leaned on to help drive a Super Bowl run a season ago.
Johnson doesn't have much tread on his tires after spending time as a backup in college before thriving later in his tenure. The former Nebraska Cornhusker has a nice blend of speed and physicality that will offer the Chiefs a level of talent they have sorely been missing in recent seasons at the position.
With that said, the franchise should utilize Brashard Smith as well early in the year, giving both Smith and Johnson the opportunity to claim the bulk of the carries behind Walker. It appears that the rookie is the heavy favorite to finish with the role based on a clear fit and a preseason that left little question about his ability heading into the 2026 season.
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