Kansas City’s Revamped Run Game Could Reclaim the AFC West in 2026
Arrowhead faithful have their gripes about the wide receiver room, the edge rush position, and special teams. These gripes are warranted, though at times a bit melodramatic in the context of the historic run Kansas City has been on. The running back room, however, is a source of excitement and anticipation, where not a gripe can be found. In the Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes era, not since 2018 has there been a consistent and effective run game. That year, Kareem Hunt ran for 824 yards and seven touchdowns after just 11 weeks before being released from the team. Mahomes has never had a thousand-yard rusher during his tenure with an arrowhead on his helmet. In 2026, with the complete rebuild of the running back corps, led by the reigning Super Bowl MVP, that streak will come to an end.
Kenneth Walker III has dazzled during Chiefs training camp, showcasing the explosiveness, speed, and vision that contributed to the Seahawks’ championship run. He has the instinctive ability to change direction on a dime and bounce the ball outside for positive yardage when the hole isn’t there. During practice on Friday, the dynamic RB caught several passes from the two-time League MVP, showcasing his versatility and use as a consistent relief valve for Mahomes in the backfield. With Kansas City’s questions at the wide receiver position, having a dependable pass catcher in Walker is significant. The Michigan State Alum also showed off his pass protection skills during a rep when he blocked rookie defensive end R Mason Thomas and ran him all the way down the line behind Mahomes, allowing for the pass to get off unimpeded. Walker has the tools of a complete running back, with the physicality and mind for the game that Kansas City hasn’t seen at that position in quite some time.
Backing up Walker is a strong supporting cast of rushers. Fast and shifty former Arizona Cardinal, Emari Demercado, who has the seventh-most rushes in the NFL of 40 yards or more since 2023. He’s also consistent in pass protection; during his time at Arizona, the TCU alum allowed just eight pressures across 104 pass-blocking snaps. The veteran is not only dangerous with the ball in his hands but also reliable in protecting the heart of the franchise. Brashard Smith, a rookie last year, made a strong showing in training camp, with numerous first-team reps, which, for a seventh-round pick, is remarkable under Andy Reid. With a season on the team under his belt and consistent improvement, the 4.39 speedster could play a Jerick McKinnon-type role for the offense. Expectations for rookie Emmett Johnson are high, seeing as he was considered the second-best RB in the 2026 draft to Jeremiyah Love. With a solid work ethic, the Cornhusker is always the first to practice. His lateral movement and twitchiness on the field stand out, as well as his ability to catch the ball. He’s explosive through gaps and has good tackle-breaking ability. His rookie status may limit his touches, but Johnson has all the potential to make his mark as a Kansas City back.
The financial investment the Chiefs have made in Walker makes it clear they intend to use him prominently during the 2026 season. With ex-running backs coach and now offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy back at Arrowhead, the ex-Seahawk could tote the ball as much as Hunt did in 2018. Bieniemy’s turn as the Chicago Bears’ running back coach last year resulted in 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns between D’Andre Swift and then-rookie Kyle Monangai. With a Super Bowl MVP in Walker and a solid corps of running backs behind him, there is no doubt Bieniemy can at least match that production. For the Chiefs, running the football consistently is long overdue and, with a superstar, generational quarterback coming off the worst injury of his career, extremely necessary. This adds an element of desperation to the effort of taking as much pressure off Mahomes as possible, and desperation can make a team dangerous; even more so when that team has been to five Super Bowls within the span of six years.
