Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have rolled through the first month of the 2026 NFL season at a perfect 4-0 heading into their Week 5 bye, one of the better starts of Mahomes’ career. He still runs the show, but running back Kenneth Walker III has brought a downhill, physical edge this offense hasn’t had in years.
Walker signed in free agency after winning Super Bowl MVP with Seattle, and he’s already making that deal look like a steal. His 537 rushing yards through four games lead the NFL and stand as a Chiefs record for the start of a season.
That production was on full display Sunday in Las Vegas, where Walker rumbled for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-27 win, highlighted by a 76-yard burst that flipped the game and a go-ahead score with 3:21 left.
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Still, Kansas City didn’t escape unscathed. Tyquan Thornton caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns before dislocating his left ankle on a 55-yard catch and is now out indefinitely. Rashee Rice left early with a non-contact hamstring injury, while Xavier Worthy continues working through a shoulder issue, leaving Mahomes with a thin receiving group built around Travis Kelce.
That shortage has pulled a familiar name back into the picture. Kansas City has shown previous interest in Tyreek Hill, and a team source confirmed the Chiefs have remained in contact with the receiver and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that Rosenhaus plans to begin fielding offers from multiple teams, with the Chiefs among the suitors. “I would anticipate Tyreek potentially signing with a team over the next few days,” Rosenhaus said.
Hill caught 479 passes for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns across six seasons in Kansas City. Now 32, he’s working back from a dislocated left knee and torn ACL suffered in September 2025, with doctors advising him to wait until at least mid-October to return.
The Chiefs return from their bye on Sunday, October 18, hosting the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, with kickoff set for 4:25 p.m. ET.
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