Chiefs given major warning about Kenneth Walker's free agent contract

Chiefs given major warning about Kenneth Walker's free agent contract originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed the reigning Super Bowl MVP in free agency.

That's got to be a win, right?

Well, maybe not. Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport writes in a new article that Kenneth Walker was the second-worst free agent signing of the NFL offseason.

That seems like quite the bold claim, but it's a warning worth noting.

Walker signed a three-year, $45 million contract to come from the Seattle Seahawks and join the Chiefs.

Davenport thinks that there's plenty of reasons for concern, beginning with Walker's health.

"Throughout his four-year career, Walker has struggled with nagging injuries. Last year was the first time he played in all 17 games," Davenport writes. "While the 2022 second-round pick has posted two 1,000-yard seasons, he has never had 230 carries in a season. He has also never played 600 snaps in a season. Walker is being paid like a bell-cow running back. But to date, he hasn't shown that he can actually be one."

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It's a fascinating spot for the Chiefs to be in, because they clearly needed better RB production than they had the last couple seasons.

When Walker is on the field, he's sure to provide that increased production.

The entire battle will be keeping him out there, especially in the early going to avoid any overworking before the important parts of the season even arrive.

The Chiefs need Walker there for a playoff run, and he's not always proven to be capable -- even if his most recent triumph showed his upside.

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