Kenneth Walker III—the reigning Super Bowl MVP—is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to multiple reports. He is leaving the Seahawks after playing four seasons in Seattle.
Walker's new deal is for three years and could be worth more than $43 million. The team made just enough room to sign the prized free agent by trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams last week.
The Chiefs have agreed to a three-year, $43.05 million deal with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, per sources. Kansas City lands a big fish, and the APY is right around the option number they cleared in trading Trent McDuffie.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2026
Max is $45 million. $28.7 million fully…
MORE FROM SI: NFL Free Agency Live Updates
Walker started all 17 regular season games for the Seahawks last year, rushing for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. In the postseason, he had 65 carries for 313 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Seahawks marched to the Super Bowl where they beat the Patriots, 29-13. Walker rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries in that game.
Patrick Mahomes reacted to the news on social media with an enthusiastic "LET'S GO" and two emojis. There is a lot of good news on Monday for Mahomes as Travis Kelce is expected to return to the Chiefs for his 14th season.
LETS GO!! 💪🏽💪🏽 https://t.co/uWTcgunFTi
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 9, 2026
Here’s what the deal means for both the Chiefs and the Seahawks heading into 2026 and beyond:
Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes & Co. add dynamic playmaker to balance out offense
Coming off a season where they went just 6–11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, Kansas City is now retooling its offense heading into 2026.
The Chiefs rushed for just 106.6 yards per game last season—a bottom-10 number in the NFL—while platooning their RB room with 30-year-old Kareem Hunt and an injured Isaiah Pacheco. Now, with Mahomes set to potentially miss some time to begin the season while recovering from ACL surgery, they add Walker—who brings a dynamic, play-making ability to their backfield.
The 25-year-old Walker rushed for a career-high 4.6 yards per carry last season while totaling 1,027 yards on 221 attempts. Additionally, he hauled in 31 receptions for 202 yards out of the backfield—a positive for coach and play-caller Andy Reid, who’s known for using his running backs in the passing game.
Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet is RB1 in Seattle
The Seahawks allowing Walker to leave in free agency makes it all but clear that—even after he suffered a torn ACL this past January—they’re comfortable leaning on Zach Charbonnet to command their backfield moving forward.
Drafted a year after Walker in Seattle in 2023, the also-25-year-old Charbonnet notched career-highs in both yards (730) and rushing touchdowns (12) this past season while helping the Seahawks notch 28.4 points per game—the third-highest average in the NFL.
Once he recovers from offseason surgery, he’ll lead the charge for Seattle out of the backfield—with Cam Akers, George Holani, Velus Jones Jr., and Jacardia Wright behind him in the running back room.
More NFL on Sports Illustrated
- Why Mike Evans Could Be the Most Consequential Signing of Free Agency
- With Kenneth Walker III, Patrick Mahomes Won’t Have to Play As Much Hero Ball
- Malik Willis Is a Smart, Though Hopefully Short-Term, Signing for the Dolphins
- Michael Pittman Jr. Trade Grades: Pittsburgh Swings Big in New Era
- Minkah Fitzpatrick Trade Grades: Jets Get Needed Secondary Help, Dolphins Continue Rebuild
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Chiefs to Sign RB Kenneth Walker III: What It Means for Seahawks, Kansas City.
