Report: Chiefs are trading for Kenneth Walker III

According to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Kansas City Chiefs are trading for running back Kenneth Walker III. Schultz reported that Kansas City had tried to trade for New York Jets running back Breece Hall last year and believes adding a star running back can bring safeties down, open the play-action game and help quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ deep passing game.

Walker’s early production

Walker has been one of Kansas City’s most productive players through three games of the 2026–27 season. He has 65 rushing attempts for 360 yards and two rushing touchdowns, plus 11 receptions on 18 targets for 82 yards and two receiving touchdowns. The workload and receiving usage give the Chiefs production in both phases of the offense cited in Schultz’s report.

Mahomes has completed 67 of 98 passes for 812 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions in three games. He has also taken four sacks and added 41 rushing yards and one touchdown on 10 attempts. Kansas City is 3-0 and ranks sixth of 32 teams in offensive EPA and sixth of 32 in defensive EPA. EPA measures the expected points value of each play.

Hall remains listed with the Jets in Keel Stats data. In three games in 2026–27, he has 51 carries for 163 yards and one touchdown, with 10 receptions on 10 targets for 102 yards. New York is 1-2, ranking 11th of 32 teams in offensive EPA and 19th of 32 in defensive EPA. Schultz described the Walker move as only the start for Kansas City.