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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Kansas City Chiefs looked to bounce back in their Week 9 matchup against the New York Jets after suffering a disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos.
Running back Kenneth Walker III played a major role in helping Kansas City build a 14-12 halftime lead.
Walker scored twice for the Chiefs in the first half, but neither was a touchdown came on the ground. Instead, Patrick Mahomes connected with him for two receiving touchdowns. With that, he achieved something he'd never done before with the Seattle Seahawks.
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According to ESPN Insights, Walker reached 10 total touchdowns in a season for the first time in his NFL career. His two receiving scores against the Jets helped him achieve the career milestone.
Walker has six rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns for the Chiefs this season.
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His first touchdown on Sunday was a seven-yard touchdown reception from Mahomes early in the second quarter. Walker later had a 25-yard touchdown reception to put the Chiefs ahead, 14-9 at that moment in the game, before the Jets' Jason Sanders connected on a 54-yard field goal.
What makes the milestone particularly surprising is that Walker had just two receiving touchdowns across his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He had one receiving touchdown in each of his 2023 and 2024 seasons.
That likely speaks volumes about how the Chiefs' offense is operating, as well as Walker having a quarterback like Mahomes as his teammate. Walker began his career in 2022 in Seattle, and his main quarterback for multiple seasons was Geno Smith, before the team brought in Sam Darnold for last season's Super Bowl run.
The star running back is also on pace to eclipse his career highs for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He had 1,050 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in his rookie season with the Seahawks.
Walker was a major offseason acquisition for Kansas City, signing a three-year deal with the Chiefs worth up to $45 million. His impact on the team's success has been visible through the team's first half of the season.
He's taken some of the pressure off Mahomes due to his rushing performances, but he also gives them another significant weapon in the passing game. The 2026 Super Bowl MVP is on pace for a great first season in Kansas City and could be the key to the Chiefs' push to return to the NFL Playoffs after last season's disappointment.
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