- NFL. Travis Kelce's surprising contract numbers affect Chiefs in major way for rest of free agency
- NFL. NFL expert questions Kenneth Walker III's new contract with the Chiefs and does not see it as a good deal
There is no doubt that the Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to prove next season after the tough blow they suffered in 2025, finishing with a 6-11 record and, of course, missing the playoffs, all after reaching three consecutive Super Bowls. However, this did not come as a complete surprise, especially because the offense had already been showing signs of stagnation, which became evident throughout the season.
The Chiefs started the season 0-2, and after that they showed flashes that they could recover. But after Week 9, when they lost to the Buffalo Bills, the team could not hold things together and ultimately collapsed. Before that game against Buffalo, Patrick Mahomes was the betting favorite to win the MVP award.
In the end, the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and surrendered the AFC West title for the first time since 2016. That is the NFL-after everything Mahomes and the Chiefs had accomplished, no one expected such a collapse. Now the goal is to climb back to the top, and they already took the first step by signing Kenneth Walker III.
Patrick Mahomes showed excitement on social media
After being named the most recent Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III signed with the Kansas City Chiefs for the next three years and nearly $45 million. The player immediately announced on social media that he would be Mahomes' new teammate, and the Chiefs quarterback responded on his X account with the following message: "LETS GO."
Mahomes' excitement is understandable since the running game was one of the biggest needs for Kansas City's offense. Walker III also has the third-highest rate of runs of 10 yards or more in the NFL, while the Chiefs finished second to last in that category last season. On top of that, the former Seattle Seahawks running back is coming off a 1,000-yard season.
Walker III's arrival also had an impact on sportsbooks, as the Chiefs are now the third favorites to win the Super Bowl in the AFC, with +1500 odds. However, they are still behind several teams from the NFC, led by the Los Angeles Rams. Even so, Kansas City has taken a step forward, especially since the team still holds two first-round picks in the upcoming Draft, including the No. 9 overall pick.
It is also worth noting that the Chiefs are once again the favorites to win the AFC West, ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos. There is still a long way to go, with the Draft and more free agency moves ahead, but Kansas City has already started taking steps forward with the goal of returning to the top.