Kansas City Chiefs sign RB Kenneth Walker III

Kenneth Walker III earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI) on his three-year, $42M deal with Kansas City — a middling valuation that reflects the inherent gamble of banking on a past-prime running back in an era where the position has cratered in value. At $14M AAV, this signing prices him as a low-end starter, but his production trajectory and durability record don't fully justify that outlay; the Chiefs are essentially paying top-24 running back money for a complementary piece. The structure matters here: Kansas City is committing real resources to a 27-year-old back in a league increasingly skeptical of heavy investment at the position, especially during an offseason where the team is rebuilding after a 6-11 finish and sitting outside the playoff picture. The CVI penalty reflects that disconnect — you're not getting elite efficiency or long-term positional dominance for $14M annually, nor are you acquiring a proven feature back with championship equity. This is the kind of transaction that works only if Walker rebounds as a short-yardage and pass-catching complement rather than a lead-back engine, and the contract length (three years) leaves little margin for error if injuries resurface or production dips further. For a franchise in reset mode, this deal ties up cap room that could have been deployed elsewhere; it's a calculated bet on reclamation, not a vote of confidence in an extended competitive window.