Former Seahawks lead back now in Kansas City as part of the post-Mahomes-injury offensive reset.
Kenneth Walker III spent four seasons as Seattle's primary running back before signing with Kansas City in March 2026 to replace Isiah Pacheco. The Chiefs' offense needs a powerful interior runner to take pressure off a recovering Patrick Mahomes, and Walker's tackle-breaking style is the fit.
Path to the league
Michigan State Doak Walker Award winner in 2021 after transferring from Wake Forest. Seahawks took him 41st overall in 2022. Won the rookie starting job by Week 5 and finished with 1,050 yards and nine TDs.
Career highlights
2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. 2021 Doak Walker Award. 2021 unanimous All-American. 4,000-plus career rushing yards. Holds Seattle franchise records for most missed tackles forced by a RB on rookie contract.
2025 season recap
905 rushing yards on 222 carries (4.1 ypc), 7 TDs. Seattle won the NFC West and Super Bowl LX but Walker's role decreased as the season went on. He signed a three-year, $24 million deal with Kansas City in free agency to be the lead back behind a Mahomes-led offense.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Kenneth Walker III
- Pro Football Reference: Kenneth Walker III
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Rushing
17 games played▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | chiefs | 7 | 141 | 770 | 5.5 | 6 | 76 |
| 2025 | seahawks | 17 | 221 | 1,027 | 4.6 | 5 | 55 |
| 2024 | seahawks | 12 | 153 | 573 | 3.7 | 7 | 28 |
| 2023 | seahawks | 15 | 219 | 905 | 4.1 | 8 | 45 |
| 2022 | seahawks | 15 | 228 | 1,050 | 4.6 | 9 | 74 |
▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | chiefs | 7 | 22 | 131 | 6.0 | 2 | 22 |
| 2025 | seahawks | 17 | 31 | 282 | 9.1 | 0 | 46 |
| 2024 | seahawks | 12 | 46 | 299 | 6.5 | 1 | 21 |
| 2023 | seahawks | 15 | 29 | 259 | 8.9 | 1 | 64 |
| 2022 | seahawks | 15 | 27 | 165 | 6.1 | 0 | 33 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Michigan State
- Hometown
- Arlington, TN, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
Latest news about Kenneth Walker III
All news →Broncos Beat Chiefs 28-24 in Week 8
Denver Broncos 28, Kansas City Chiefs 24 at Empower Field at Mile High. Bo Nix went 20 of 32 for 222 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Seahawks Rout Chiefs 20-3 in Week 7
Seattle Seahawks 20, Kansas City Chiefs 3 at Lumen Field. Sam Darnold went 20 of 28 for 257 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Patrick Mahomes Reaches 100 Wins in 131 Starts, Tying Tom Brady's Pace
Kansas City beat the winless Chargers 22-6 to stay the AFC's only unbeaten team. Mahomes completed all 13 of his first-half passes without pressure despite missing two starting receivers.
Chiefs Beat Chargers 22-6 in Week 6
Kansas City Chiefs 22, Los Angeles Chargers 6 at Arrowhead Stadium. Patrick Mahomes went 23 of 30 for 272 yards with 1 interception.
Chiefs Edge Raiders 30-27 in Week 4
Kansas City Chiefs 30, Las Vegas Raiders 27 at Allegiant Stadium. Patrick Mahomes went 15 of 30 for 225 yards with 2 touchdowns.
Chiefs Beat Dolphins 24-10 in Week 3
Kansas City Chiefs 24, Miami Dolphins 10 at Hard Rock Stadium. Patrick Mahomes went 20 of 24 for 246 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.
