The Kansas City Chiefs pointed to Kenneth Walker III’s early production this week as the 2-0 team prepares for a road game against Miami.
Heading into Week 3, the club announced that Walker leads the NFL in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage, broken tackles and yards after contact.
Walker has carried 47 times for 290 yards and one touchdown through two games, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. He also has nine receptions for 79 yards and another score, giving him 369 yards from scrimmage.
In his Chiefs debut Sept. 14, Walker ran 23 times for a career-high 173 yards and a 60-yard touchdown in a 31-10 win over Denver. He added three catches for 18 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Against Indianapolis on Sept. 20, he had 24 carries for 117 yards and six receptions for 61 yards in a 33-30 overtime victory. A 22-yard catch late helped set up the winning field goal.
PFF credited Walker with 23 missed tackles forced on rushes and 243 yards after contact, 86 more than the next player. He is averaging 5.17 yards after contact.
Those numbers stand out for a franchise that has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017. Last season the Chiefs’ backs combined for few explosive runs. Walker already has multiple 10-plus-yard gains and two 100-yard rushing games.
Kansas City signed the former Seattle back in March to a three-year contract after he was named Super Bowl LX MVP. He rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries in Seattle’s 29-13 win over New England.
Walker’s workload has been heavy, with about 28 touches per game. That volume helped the offense while quarterback Patrick Mahomes worked back from a torn ACL and LCL that ended his 2025 season in mid-December.
Mahomes has completed 47 of 74 passes for 566 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He added a rushing score in Week 1 and looked sharper in Week 2, throwing for 382 yards and three scores.
The ground game has given Kansas City balance. The Chiefs rank near the top of the league in rushing yards per game and are averaging 32 points.
ESPN’s Nate Taylor wrote that the current pace may not last all year.
“It’s understandable why coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy wanted to put the ball in Walker’s hands early and often,” Taylor wrote. “Of course, Patrick Mahomes was returning from torn ligaments in his left knee, and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson started at left tackle with Josh Simmons out because of a lower back injury. Walker, though, shouldn’t continue to have 26 to 30 touches every game. The Chiefs also should give more opportunities to rookie Emmett Johnson, who has been productive in his limited carries.”
Reid has said Johnson will see more snaps. The fifth-round pick from Nebraska has 10 carries for 39 yards and additional receiving production in a small sample.
Walker has not asked for fewer carries, according to the coaching staff, but Reid has talked about finding a mix that keeps both backs fresh.
Kansas City visits the 0-2 Dolphins on Sunday. Miami has struggled against the run early, which could keep Walker featured if the Chiefs stay committed to the ground attack.
The early returns have changed the look of an offense that leaned heavily on the pass in recent seasons. Walker’s burst after contact and receiving work have given Mahomes another option while the quarterback continues to rebuild his timing.
Whether the league-leading totals hold up over 17 games remains an open question. For now, the numbers after two weeks are clear.
