Kenneth Walker III Reacts to Historic Performance in Chiefs Debut vs. Broncos, 'It Means A Lot'

In his first game as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Kenneth Walker III racked up 191 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in a 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday night.

After becoming just the third Chiefs player to run for at least 100 yards in their team debut since 2000, Walker told reporters "it means a lot" to have a strong start against a good opponent.

"It means a lot," he said. "I see the O-line, the way they work in the weight room and the classroom. We showed it in practice, from OTAs to training camp. We just had to come out here and execute and show it."

Kenneth Walker III goes off in Chiefs debut

Walker, who ended last season winning Super Bowl MVP as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, ran for a career-high 173 yards against a Denver defense that allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL in 2025.

The only other Chiefs players who ran for at least 100 yards in their team debut this century were Kareem Hunt in 2017 and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020.

Walker also scored two touchdowns, including a 60-yard scamper on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter to put the Chiefs up 21-7.

When the Chiefs signed Walker to a three-year, $43 million contract in free agency, they did so in part to take some of the stress off Patrick Mahomes and to make their offense more three-dimensional.

It's safe to say after one game the plan worked to perfection. The Chiefs' 220 rushing yards as a team against the Broncos were their most in a game since Week 6 of the 2020 season against the Buffalo Bills (245).

Kansas City was able to put up 31 points in a game with Mahomes not looking at quite peak form throwing the football in his return from a torn ACL and LCL. He finished 15-of-27 for 184 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Mahomes did add 23 yards and a touchdown on seven rushing attempts, so his knee held up well in the regard.

If the Chiefs are going to have a strong rushing attack with Walker leading the way, their offense could get back to being the world-beating unit it was for the first five years of Mahomes' career as a starter.

That's bad news for anyone who thought the Kansas City dynasty ended last season.