Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have built one of the most successful partnerships in NFL history, but the Chiefs quarterback recently named another player as one of the best football players he has played with. 

In a post shared by Yahoo Sports Daily on X, Mahomes called Kenneth Walker III “one of the best football players” he has been around and praised his ability to make plays whenever he gets the ball. 

“He’s one of the best football players I’ve ever been around, and I’d just say that from watching and what he does,” Mahomes said. “He’s a great leader on and off the field. 

Fresh off a Super Bowl LX MVP performance, Walker didn't stay on the market for long. The star running back became one of the biggest early free-agent splashes on March 12, 2026, signing a three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He helps out a ton of the younger guys, and then it’ll be nice to just hand off to a guy like that and let him make the plays happen,” Mahomes said via a Yahoo Sports Daily X post. “He’s a great football player…he'll make everybody else’s job a lot easier.” 

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have built one of the most productive quarterback-tight end connections in NFL history.

The two have played 144 games together in the regular season and postseason, combining for 908 receptions, 10,707 receiving yards, and 80 touchdowns. 

Meanwhile, Kelce has remained one of Mahomes’ top targets, recording 1,080 receptions, 13,002 receiving yards, and 82 touchdowns in his career.

Despite his historic connection with Kelce, Mahomes’ praise highlighted the different role Walker can bring as a running back. 

Since entering the NFL in 2022, Walker has become an important part of the Seahawks’ offense. Through four seasons, the running back has recorded 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, producing two 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2022 and 2025.

Mahomes is not the only Chiefs figure impressed by Walker, as Andy Reid has also shared his thoughts on the running back’s start with the team. 

Andy Reid reveals what he liked about Kenneth Walker

According to Nate Taylor of ESPN, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid praised Kenneth Walker’s approach during the offseason program after Kansas City signed the running back away from the Seahawks.

“He’s got a ton of energy, and you can tell he loves to play the game [and] wants to learn what we're doing here,” Reid said. “He gets that it takes work to be good, and he's willing to do that. Stronger than an ox. I mean, he's put together.” 

The Chiefs gave Walker a three-year, $43 million contract after he became one of the top offensive weapons in Seattle. Kansas City is now expecting him to bring another dimension to the offense alongside Patrick Mahomes. 

Walker’s arrival has created excitement inside the Chiefs’ offense, and Reid believes his preparation and approach could help him succeed in Kansas City.

Do you think Kenneth Walker is one of the best football players in the NFL? Let us know your views in the comments.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote