It’s a major transition year for star running back Kenneth Walker III, as he left the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to join the Kansas City Chiefs. And when he exited the Pacific Northwest, he left on top, earning the MVP award in Super Bowl LX.
Rushing for a season high 135 yards, to go along with 26 receiving yards, he was the main offensive star in a Super Bowl that finished with a standard looking 29-13 final score, despite being a pragmatic game well into the third quarter.
And when we say “pragmatic,” we mean it was the kind of game that only a defenisve coordinator would love. But it was Walker who led the Super Bowl out of the rock fight, and he was rewarded with a nice few free agent deal soon after.
The Chiefs signed him for three years, $45 million.
Drafted out of Michigan State, in the second round with the 41st overall pick in 2022, Walker skipped his senior season in order to enter the draft early.
It was a decision that paid off, as he got his NFL career off to a rip roaring start, rushing for a 1,050 yards and nine TDs. For his efforts, the Arlington, TN native was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. This honor complemented the Doak Walker and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards he took home the previous season when he was at MSU.
As he switches teams this season, KW3 reflected on his growth from his rookie campaign.
“I know a lot more, more detailed in my game, passing, running, everything,” Walker said in an exclusive with Ratings. “Like I’m more detailed. Rookie year was just really figuring everything out, how the playbook was and everything. But I feel like I’m much more detailed, and I got an understanding of everything.”
Walker played his first two years of college ball at Wake Forest, but it was when he transferred to East Lansing that his talents truly became unlocked. Maybe that happens again, at the NFL level, with the Chiefs.
And it does seem like Andy Reid’s system might suit him better. Reid doesn’t typically go exceedingly run heavy, or overload his feature back. Having a little less pressure might suit Walker perfectly.
ESPN NFL Analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Walker will “100%” change everything for the Chiefs, who have now seen their dynasty come to an end. K.C. didn’t even qualify for the postseason last year. It is worth noting that Walker missed out on the Super Bowl ring ceremony with the Seahawks.
He had said, during an interview with #PFTPM (h/t NBC Sports) beforehand that he wanted to attend.
Sounds kind of awkward, to say the least.
So with that in mind, go and mark week seven down in your calendar- that’s when Kenneth Walker returns to Seattle, now as a member of the Chiefs.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Kenneth Walker III went from 2nd round pick to Super Bowl MVP
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