Chiefs’ new-look running back room is complete. What to know ahead of 2026 season
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- New Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III signed a 3-year, $43.05M contract with $28.7M guaranteed.
- Brett Veach said KC’s biggest weakness had been a lack of explosiveness in the run game.
- Isiah Pacheco will sign with the Detroit Lions, becoming 5th 2022 Chiefs draftee to leave.
The Kansas City Chiefs have remade their backfield this offseason, headlined by the addition of reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
The moves come as longtime starting running back Isiah Pacheco has departed for Detroit via free agency.
The Chiefs have also added depth behind Walker via other acquisitions, including via last month’s NFL Draft. Here are some main takeaways from the comings and goings ahead of the 2026 season:
• The headline move for the Chiefs’ backfield this offseason is that Kenneth Walker III signed a three-year contract worth a reported $43.05 million, with $28.7 million guaranteed.
• General manager Brett Veach said the team’s biggest weakness was a lack of explosiveness in the running game, citing strong interior linemen Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey and Kingsley Suamataia.
• Walker said the Chiefs’ swift financial commitment made him feel “appreciated and wanted” and described meeting Patrick Mahomes in person as cool, calling the quarterback “a real genuine person.”
• Walker eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards last season in a Seattle timeshare with Zach Charbonnet — a feat no Chiefs player has accomplished since Kareem Hunt’s rookie year in 2017.
• The Chiefs added depth by signing former Cardinals running back Emari Demercado to a one-year contract; he averaged 6.5 yards per carry on 126 attempts over three seasons in Arizona.
• The primary departure: Isiah Pacheco signed with the Detroit Lions, becoming the fifth member of Kansas City’s 2022 draft class to leave. Now, only defensive end George Karlaftis remains from that group.
• A final piece of the Chiefs’ backfield puzzle fell into place during Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Chiefs selected Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson. The former Cornhusker will compete for a roster spot during the remainder of KC’s offseason program and training camp.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
