Why the Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker, Alohi Gilman and Khyiris Tonga
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker to leverage their interior offensive line and boost rushing.
- Kansas City added Alohi Gilman to provide leadership and impact after Bryan Cook left.
- Chiefs signed Khyiris Tonga as a space‑eating nose tackle while still seeking linemen.
When free agency opened in early March, the Kansas City Chiefs took an intentional approach, starting with the splash signing of running back Kenneth Walker. On the defensive side of the ball, they added safety Alohi Gilman and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.
On Thursday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach joined local media members for his annual pre-draft news conference, which gave him an opportunity to explain the signings.
Walker will allow the Chiefs to take advantage of their strong interior offensive line
The 25-year-old Walker is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, and he should instantly add explosiveness to Kansas City’s run game.
But Veach’s comments indicate the signing marks a bigger bet on what the team already has in the building, in terms of an interior trio of left guard Kingsley Suamataia, center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith.
“We do have some talent on the offensive line,” Veach said. “I think it would be a smart play to take advantage of that interior trio there and to be more violent and to utilize those guys and their strengths. So when you add a guy like Ken Walker, that’s why he was so attractive to us.”
The addition of Walker stands to reshape the Chiefs’ offense, likely creating a greater emphasis on inside zone and downhill power running. Veach also pointed to upside the Chiefs believe Walker has in the passing game.
In four seasons in Seattle, Walker averaged 2.3 catches and 17.3 receiving yards per game.
“I don’t think he got enough credit for that because they had (Zach) Charbonnet,” Veach said. “I think when he squares his shoulders and he runs with power, runs with violence, but also has some elusive quality.
“I think when you combine a back like that, and you have a talented (as an) inside three (linemen) as you do, I think it would make sense to want to go out there and impose your will on other teams’ defensive lines.”
The Chiefs also happen to have a two-time MVP quarterback recovering from a significant knee injury.
“It’ll be beneficial for Pat (Mahomes), too,” Veach said. “I don’t think we want him back there dropping back 50 (or) 60 times a game at the start of the season. So I think that is going to be something we’re looking forward to, and certainly with (offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy) coming back here, I think with his running back roots, there’s going to be a high priority with that run game. So I think we’re excited about that.”
Veach sees Gilman as the next great Chiefs safety signing after Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid
With Bryan Cook’s departure to the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City couldn’t wait for the draft to add an impactful safety. Thus, Veach signed the 28-year-old Gilman, who began his career in-division with the Los Angeles Chargers before a season in Baltimore.
Veach compared Gilman to some of the better Chiefs safeties of the last decade.
“Over the years, having a Tyrann Mathieu and then having a Justin Reid — just having a cerebral player there that sees the field, can be a leader back there, get everyone lined up (is important),” Veach said. “It doesn’t mean we won’t add, if we can get a similar player that has those leadership capabilities back there, but (we) certainly didn’t want to go through an offseason and kind of come away after the draft and not have a player like that.
“I think (Gilman) fits that mold, and when you had success — you had a guy like the Badger and you had a guy like Justin Reid back there — Alohi fits that bill.”
Tonga fills a void, but there is still more work to do along the defensive line
The 29-year-old Tonga, listed at 6-foot-2 and 335 pounds, is the space-eating nose tackle the Chiefs have probably needed for a while.
There’s also some uncertainty surrounding the comeback of second-year defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, who tore the ACL in his right knee in October
“When you come into the offseason and you look at our defensive line, you have Chris Jones and then Omarr Norman-Lott, who’s coming off an injury.” Veach said. “I still think that we need two more. So Tonga was a guy that had a great season, and he gives us a little bit more of an athletic nose that does have some pass-rush ability.”
Still, look for the Chiefs to add a defensive end and another defensive tackle with two of their nine draft selections.
“Even with the addition of Tonga, I still think that we’re a few short there.” Veach said. “So that will be certainly a definite position of need for us entering next week.”
