New Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III entered free agency knowing he was unlikely to return to the Seattle Seahawks.
"I would say probably, if I'm being honest, probably like sometime during the season," Walker said when asked when he knew he wasn't going to re-sign with Seattle, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "You know, things ain't working out how I was expecting it to, and that's all right. It worked out for the team. So yeah, sometime during the season and then we get to free agency, pretty much knowing, like, you weren't gonna be there no more."
Walker signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs worth up to $45 million that includes $28.7 million guaranteed. He's expected to be their feature halfback after the team didn't re-sign Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in free agency. The 25-year-old tailback is embracing a fresh start after spending four seasons with the Seahawks.
"It just feels good to be appreciated and wanted somewhere," Walker told "Up and Adams" on Tuesday. "You know, the guys rally around me and the coaching staff do as well. I know they got high expectations, and I'm ready to carry that on my shoulders."
The Chiefs brought in the Super Bowl LX MVP after posting a 6-11 record in 2025, their first sub-.500 record since Andy Reid became the head coach in 2013. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who sustained a torn ACL and LCL last season, is working to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Kansas City's front office has attempted to bolster Mahomes' supporting cast. The club re-signed Travis Kelce and acquired quarterback Justin Fields from the New York Jets to serve as the two-time MVP's backup.
Kansas City also brought back a familiar face on the coaching staff, hiring Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. The Chiefs are optimistic that the 56-year-old assistant's return will spark a unit that averaged 21.3 points and 320.6 yards per game. Walker understands Bieniemy will hold him accountable after an "intense" meeting with the coordinator.
"He wants the best for everybody, but he got high standards, and that's good if you want to be better," Walker said.
Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 17 games last season. He elevated his production during Seattle's Super Bowl run. He rushed for 116 yards and three scores after Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the NFC divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers. He then racked up 135 yards on 27 carries in Super Bowl LX to lift the Seahawks to a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.
