Kenneth Walker III

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		59	3,555	29	4.3
2025		17	1,027	5	4.6
2024		12	573	7	3.7
2023		15

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Kenneth Walker III's three-year, $42M extension with Kansas City represents an absolute steal for the Chiefs, earning an A+ CVI that reflects exceptional value in today's inflated running back market. At $14M annually, the Chiefs are paying above-average starter money for a solid starter who's proven he can anchor a ground game, but the $28.7M in guaranteed money provides crucial security for a player entering his prime at just 24 years old. Walker's combination of power running and pass-catching ability fits perfectly into Andy Reid's offensive system, and locking him up now avoids the premium Kansas City would have paid if he had another breakout season alongside Patrick Mahomes. The front-loaded guarantee structure minimizes long-term risk while giving the Chiefs flexibility to move on after year two if needed, though Walker's age curve suggests his best years are still ahead. This deal gives Kansas City a foundational piece in the backfield at a discount rate, allowing them to continue investing heavily in their championship window while securing one of the AFC's most promising young rushers.

Performance Analysis

Kenneth Walker III grades as a serviceable starter among NFL running backs — a middle-of-the-pack player at the position. His strongest area is yards per carry at 4.65 (above the NFL average of 4.10), ranking as above average for the position. Rushing touchdowns per game, at 0.29 compared to an NFL average of 0.35, is where he falls short relative to the position.

Fan Sentiment

The Chiefs land a proven Super Bowl MVP backfield weapon in a strong elite-tier signing. Headlines are mostly positive across five sources, with only one analyst voicing criticism. Walker's Super Bowl LX MVP performance is the strongest signal of his current elite value. Fans are energized, with the press conference buzz suggesting Walker fits the Chiefs' culture perfectly. Expect Walker to anchor Kansas City's backfield and contend for another championship run.