By OLIVER SALT, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 11:29 EST, 6 March 2026 | Updated: 11:29 EST, 6 March 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly set to target one of the top running back options on the open market this offseason - including Seattle Seahawks hero Kenneth Walker III.
Earlier this week the Chiefs, who missed out on the playoffs last season after going 6-11, stunned the NFL by trading star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams.
McDuffie, 25, had been with the team since he was selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft and won two Super Bowls in the past four years.
In exchange, Kansas City received a total of four draft picks, which include the 29th selection this year.
The trade not only sent shockwaves around the league but also within Kansas City, with players, including Patrick Mahomes, and even head coach Andy Reid said to be disappointed and shocked, according to ESPN.
However, while the trade is described as one of the toughest of general manager Brett Veach's Chiefs tenure, McDuffie was ultimately viewed as a necessary sacrifice in order for Kansas City to rebuild to contend for a Super Bowl once again.
The Chiefs stunned the NFL by trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams
The move was viewed as a necessary sacrifice as GM Brett Veach looks to rebuild the roster
By trading McDuffie, the Chiefs have offloaded $13.6 million from their salary cap, which could set them up to be competitive in the free agency market.
The Chiefs also released right tackle Jawaan Taylor and defensive end Mike Danna in cap-trimming moves earlier this offseason. When the offseason began, the team was more than $57 million over the cap.
They could also free up another $50 million by releasing linebacker Drue Tranquill and tight end Noah Gray when free agency starts next week, and also look to restructure Chris Jones's contract after doing the same to Patrick Mahomes's last month.
With the additional funds at their disposal, the Chiefs are expected to target a new running back and pass rusher in free agency.
The franchise is believed to be targeting a high-profile running back option, such as Walker III, who is expected to be one of the hottest prospects on the market after leading the Seahawks to Super Bowl glory last month.
The Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Etienne Jr. and Atlanta Falcons' Tyler Allgeier are also said to be candidates.
Meanwhile, on defense, defensive ends Boye Mafe, who also won the Super Bowl this year, along with Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Kwity Paye and defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers are all said to be on the table.
Meanwhile, Kansas City is expected to receive a positive boost to its roster ahead of the 2026 season with the expected return of Mahomes.
Kansas City could reportedly target Kenneth Walker III (left) after his Super Bowl triumph
The running back won the Super Bowl MVP as the Seattle Seahawks triumphed last month
Patrick Mahomes's recovery from his torn ACL and LCL is said to be ahead of schedule
The quarterback's 2025 season came to a crushing early end on December 14 when he suffered a multi-ligament knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mahomes quickly underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL and was expected to be sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the upcoming season. However, he appears to be making a swift recovery.
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported this week that Mahomes is already way ahead of schedule and perhaps could be ready for the start of the season.
'His pain threshold is different, his work ethic is different,' Glazer said on the 'Dan Patrick Show.'
'So at first they were like, "Oh, you know, start of the season." I would probably hedge on him being [back] sooner than that. By far. Because he just attacks things.'
The Chiefs endured a nightmare season, missing out on the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2014.
But with Mahomes bouncing back quicker than expected, the draft wealth they acquired from the McDuffie trade and the ability to target coveted free agents, they will look to launch a comeback next season.