The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 3-0 start, and key offseason acquisition Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL with 360 rushing yards to go with four total touchdowns. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to be back to his elite self less than 10 months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his knee. The difference is the threat of Walker in the backfield, which opens up so many other things in the offense.
The Chiefs had this epiphany in mind last season when they tried to acquire New York Jets running back Breece Hall before the NFL Trade Deadline, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Chiefs realized acquiring a star running back would bring the safeties down into the box, which, alongside a play-action threat, would open up Mahomes’ deep ball.
Walker fits this offensive scheme like a glove. He wasn’t used as a receiver too much in Seattle, but he’s proving he is capable as a receiver. He has 11 receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns on 18 targets. Walker is also capable in pass protection, which has been critical as the Chiefs have been without their starting left tackle all season.
Rookie running back Emmett Johnson hasn’t been utilized as much as expected in the first three games, but he has given the team confidence if something were to happen to Walker. Johnson has played the role of decoy and blocker extremely well in play action.
“It’s helping out a ton,” Mahomes said of the Chiefs’ play-action attack. “I think people look at the stats and they see the touchdowns that Kenneth has and [rookie running back Emmett Johnson] when they’re running the ball. But I don’t think they really understand how the play-action and the movements [within the pocket] has really opened up in our offense. That’s a credit to [the running backs] and the offensive line firing off the ball, run and pass.”
After Sunday’s game, Mahomes has 329 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception on play-action attempts. He also hasn’t been sacked in 38 such snaps, according to TruMedia.
Provided good health, this could only be the beginning for the Chiefs – at least on offense. Mahomes is still gaining comfortability with his repaired knee, and starting left tackle Josh Simmons could return from his back injury in a week or two. They travel to face the 3-0 Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 Sunday afternoon.
