On Monday, Kenneth Walker III officially joined the Kansas City Chiefs with a reported three-year contract worth $45 million. The former Seattle Seahawks running back’s signing raised some eyebrows, especially from NFL insider Pete Prisco, who expressed reservations about the sizable investment on running backs like Walker.
Concerns Raised Over Chiefs’ Significant Investment in Kenneth Walker III
Despite Walker’s impressive resume, Pete Prisco voiced skepticism regarding the Chiefs’ decision to allocate such a large sum to a running back. Speaking on “NFL on CBS,” Prisco noted,
“You can find (running) backs, you can draft them,”
highlighting the abundance of available options at the position. He further added,
“Now, there is a lot of talk out there that this is not a great deal for running backs, so I’ll give you that. … I’m not paying a running back that kind of money for a guy. Particularly, a guy who, for most of last year, was just a guy.”
Prisco also pointed out Walker’s history with injuries and his inconsistent presence over his career, saying,
“And for most of his career, he’s had injury problems and just been a guy. He was great in the playoffs, you can’t take that away from him.”
Background: Kenneth Walker III’s Rising Profile and Past Performance
Originally drafted by Seattle in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Walker quickly gained attention due to his postseason heroics, including earning the Super Bowl MVP title while helping the Seahawks claim the championship. Over his four-year stretch with Seattle, he amassed 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 821 touches, while also contributing 1,005 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 133 receptions during 58 regular-season appearances.
Walker’s playoff performance includes 376 yards and five touchdowns on 80 carries through four games, demonstrating his ability to impact high-stakes contests.
Chiefs Aim to Bolster Offense and Relieve Pressure on Patrick Mahomes
By signing Walker, Kansas City hopes to ease the offensive responsibilities placed on their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, who endured his first missed playoff campaign in the 2025 season. Walker’s versatility as both a rusher and a receiving threat offers the Chiefs additional flexibility in their offensive schemes.
Implications and What to Watch for Next Season
The Chiefs’ commitment to Kenneth Walker III signals their intent to strengthen their backfield alongside Mahomes, but the substantial financial outlay has stirred debate about the value of investing heavily in running backs amid their injury risks and availability of alternatives. How Walker adapts and contributes in Kansas City will be closely monitored, as the team looks to regain playoff contention and enhance their offensive balance moving forward.
"I'm not paying a running back that kind of money… For most of (Kenneth Walker) career, he's had injury problems and just been a guy."@PriscoCBS is not enthusiastic about the Chiefs signing RB Kenneth Walker III. pic.twitter.com/MSza4PVLvv
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) March 9, 2026
