kansascity
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- Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker to a three-year, $43.05 million deal.
- Kansas City expects to run the ball at higher volume in 2026 with Walker.
- Emari Demercado joined on a one-year deal and projects as early pass-protection depth.
Kansas City Chiefs rookies and quarterbacks report to Missouri Western State University in St.
Joseph in two weeks time, followed by veteran players a couple of days later.
In the lead-up to things finally getting underway, we have been previewing the teams most interesting position groups.
The Chiefs need to identify a starter at right tackle, prepare No.
6 overall pick Mansoor Delane to be a Day 1 starter and find production beyond Rashee Rice out of the wide receiver room.
There is a lot of talk about the secondary, but there is a new look to the defensive line, too.
After offensive line, defensive backs, wide receivers and defensive line, the next-most interesting position group is running back, where Kansas City made its most intentional move of free agency.
The free-agency splash: Welcoming in the reigning Super Bowl MVP Fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks, Kenneth Walker joined the Chiefs on a three-year deal worth $43.05 million mere moments into free agency.
The move felt intentional for a team that has lacked explosiveness and true home-run capability in the run game for quite some time.
During the open media sessions of the Chiefs offseason program, it was clear that Walkers special trait is his ability to maintain speed and quickness through elite changes of direction, and the stats back it up.
Despite being in a timeshare with Zach Charbonnet in 2025, the 25-year-old managed to break the 1,000-yard rushing plateau, carrying the ball 221 times for 1,027 yards and 4.6 yards per carry for Seattle.
The last time the Chiefs had a 1,000-yard rusher was 2017, when Kareem Hunt won the leagues rushing title as a rookie.
Pro Football Focus advanced stats deepen the story, as Walker forced 61 missed tackles, registered 664 yards after contact and logged 33 runs of 10-plus yards.
By comparison, Hunt and Isiah Pacheco combined for 40 missed tackles, 759 yards after contact and just 20 runs of 10-plus yards.
Walker capped his season with a 161-scrimmage-yard effort against the New England Patriots, earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
Walkers strengths indicate at least a slight shift in identity for the Chiefs offense.
With him aboard, Kansas City is expected to run the football at a higher volume in 2026, particularly from under center.
A fully reloaded room: Emari Demercado and Emmett Johnson Chiefs general manager Brett Veach wasnt done after finding himself a premium RB1.
The next day, he signed veteran Emari Demercado to a one-year deal.
Demercado entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023.
Despite having a role in Arizona, Demercado wasnt viewed as a lead back by the Cardinals.
He was stuck behind James Conner on the depth chart.
Still, the 27-year-old has made the most of his limited opportunities.
There is a case to be made that he should have seen more work in Arizona, as his career numbers include 126 carries for 819 yards, a head-turning 6.5 yards per carry.
Demercado also has compiled 50 career receptions for 324 yards.
Per PFF, as a pass protector, he allowed just eight pressures on 99 blocking opportunities.
Demercados ability to pass protect means that, at least early on in the season, he is likely to see the field more than rookie Emmett Johnson, whom the Chiefs have acknowledged has room to grow in that area.
Veach had to feel good during this years fifth round, when Johnson was still available, considering he left Nebraska as a first-team All-America and the reigning Big Ten running back of the year.
Johnson is a workhorse, having led FBS with an average of 151.8 scrimmage yards per game.
His 1,451 total rushing yards were fourth in all of college football.
Johnson also showed ability in the pass game during his career at Nebraska, with 92 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is cautious when comparing his young players to previous ones, but in May he noted Johnson has some LeSean McCoy to him.
As Walker settles in as Kansas Citys lead back in 2026, new running backs coach DeMarco Murray will be tasked with getting Johnson in position to challenge for the starting role by 2028.
Per Spotrac, with the way Walkers contract is structured, the Chiefs can save north of $14 million in 2028 if they deem Johnson ready for the lead role at that time.
Where does that leave second-year running back Brashard Smith? With so many changes in the running back room, its difficult to find a regular role for Brashard Smith, now entering his second season after the Chiefs selected him in the seventh round of last years NFL Draft.
In 2025, Reid used Smith in the backfield, in the slot and out wide, and the additions of Walker and Demercado mean Smith should profile more as a package weapon and receiver in 2026.
With all the mouths to feed Walker, Demercado, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce Smiths few looks per game will likely be orchestrated, with orbit motions, screens and quick receptions on angle routes.
What gives Smith staying power on the roster is his spark-plug ability on special teams.
In 2025, he registered 18 kick returns for 481 yards, an average of 26.7 yards per return.
He also had six punt returns for 68 yards.
Kansas City has two 2026 undrafted free agents on the training camp roster, too, in Jadyn Ott and EJ Smith.
Ott rushed for 1,315 yards in 2023 before transferring to Oklahoma in 2025, but his production never reached those heights again as he battled injuries.
EJ Smith is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, the leagues all-time leading rusher.
EJ Smith never broke the 250-yard threshold during six college seasons between Stanford and Texas A&M.
Its possible either Ott or Smith sticks around on the Chiefs practice squad.