The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs are in the market for a running back in 2026 and reportedly could offer serious competition for Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker.
That's according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who notes that the Chiefs and Broncos could be a threat to the Seahawks for Walker, who he believes may end up cashing in on a deal that pays him around $14 million annually.
"I think Denver and Kansas City will give Seattle competition for Walker," Breer said.
A $14 million per year deal would be a huge number for Walker. At that amount, he would rank tied for fifth in the NFL with Indianapolis Colts rusher Jonathan Taylor.
Walker isn't the kind of do-it-all back you want to pay that much for, but because he is widely viewed as the best on the open market and is expected to have plenty of suitors, we could see him getting there.
The Chiefs have a need at running back thanks to a pair of pending free agents set to hit the open market in Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, both of whom left a lot to be desired in 2025.
Denver's need stems from the fact that J.K. Dobbins is a free agent and may not be back. Dobbins played well last season, but he also suffered yet another injury that ended his campaign early.
The Seahawks are in the best position to re-sign Walker at that price, because they have a whopping $55.4 million in cap space. However, it remains to be seen if Seattle's general manager, John Schneider, will go that high.
Denver has the second-best cap space situation of the three teams with $34.7 million to work with, and Kansas City brings up the rear at $24 million.
Considering their respective statuses as Super Bowl contenders, we imagine the Seahawks and Broncos will be more willing to spend big bucks on Walker than Kansas City, a team that could be in a transition year.
It may not be long before we find out where Walker lands, as he can agree to terms on a contract as soon as Monday at noon ET, when the legal tampering period begins.
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