The day after the Chiefs lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18, limping to a 6-11 record after a 5-3 start, Reid admitted what had long been a problem for his offense. “You always go to your play-action … and watch it and see what kind of reaction you’re getting from the defense,” Reid said in early January. “…We’re not getting enough reaction from them.” Added Reid: “There wasn’t enough respect that needed to be given. So, we’ve got to run the ball more efficiently, especially on first or second down in those running situations, just to stay positive with that. Somewhere you’d like to have some bigger plays in that area.” Mahomes actually addressed the topic much earlier in the season, before the Week 3 game against the New York Giants. “Part of football is being able to rely on the run game when they’re in the light boxes,” he said, “and forcing them to come down so we can get some of the shots down the field.” Enter Kenneth Walker III. The Chiefs have typically favored rotating backs under Reid, but this looks more like a one-back show than it has in a long time in Kansas City. Longtime team observers have been surprised by the sheer volume Walker seems to carry in camp sessions, often being the receiver of what appears to be a revived screen game and a frequent red zone option. Could Walker be the answer the Chiefs are looking for in the running game?
