Chiefs May Be Letting Their Biggest Offensive Asset Down With One Recurring Issue
The Kansas City Chiefs may have finally figured out their offensive identity, but there’s one glaring problem that could derail everything they’ve built: their offensive line.
Kenneth Walker III has been an absolute game-changer in the backfield, becoming their biggest offensive asset, giving Kansas City the spark it desperately needed. His explosiveness, tackle-breaking ability, and knack for turning seemingly nothing into chunk plays have made him a driving force behind the Chiefs’ offensive resurgence. He’s also taken some of the heat off Patrick Mahomes, allowing Andy Reid to lean into a more balanced, run-heavy attack.
But here’s the million-dollar question: How long can Walker keep this offense rolling if the offensive line continues to leave him fighting for every yard?
Chiefs’ Offensive Line Problems Could Become Kenneth Walker’s Biggest Roadblock
The Chiefs’ offensive line issues were impossible to ignore against the New York Jets. Sure, Kansas City cruised to a convincing 35-12 win, but the pass protection was far from pretty. With Josh Simmons still sidelined, undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson continued to hold down the left tackle spot, while Jaylon Moore struggled on the opposite edge. According to Pro Football Focus’ live tracking, both tackles surrendered three pressures in the first half alone. Benson’s pass-blocking grade was especially alarming, coming in at just 8.6.
And while the Chiefs have built one of the NFL’s most productive rushing attacks, there’s another area where things aren’t clicking: the red zone. More specifically, Kansas City’s ground game has been downright frustrating inside the opponent’s five-yard line.
For all the damage Walker has done between the 20s, punching it in from close range has been a different story. According to The Kansas City Star, Walker has found the end zone on just two of his 11 carries from inside the opponent’s five-yard line this season. Even more concerning, seven of those attempts have resulted in either no gain or a loss of yardage.
Walker vs the Jets:
🔺18 CAR
🔺102 YDS
🔺5.7 YPC
🔺1 TD
🔺4 REC
🔺41 REC YDS
🔺2 TDs— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) November 8, 2026
That puts Kansas City’s rushing touchdown rate inside the five at a dismal 18.2%, the second-worst mark in the entire NFL. For an offense with Walker’s explosiveness and a run game that has otherwise been rolling, that’s a pretty glaring red-zone problem.
Walker was still a monster through his first five five games, racking up 665 rushing yards and seven touchdowns to help the Chiefs jump out to a 5-0 start. And credit where it’s due: the front office made sure Reid had the backfield weapon he needed. Recognizing that the ground game needed a serious boost, Kansas City wasted little time in free agency, bringing Walker aboard right as the offseason market opened.
That move has certainly paid off. For first-time NFL running backs coach DeMarco Murray, having a back like Walker makes one part of the job considerably easier. But getting the most out of him also means fixing the issues up front. Because as explosive as Walker is, he can’t manufacture daylight on every carry. And if the Chiefs want their run-game resurgence to translate into consistent points, they’ll need to start winning the battles in the trenches, particularly when the field shrinks.
Chiefs’ Run-Game Revival Comes With a Problem Andy Reid Can’t Ignore
The Chiefs have one of the NFL’s most productive rushing attacks, but there’s a glaring hole in their ground game: the red zone. For all the damage they’ve done between the 20s, punching it in from close range has been a different story.
Despite Walker’s league-leading rushing production, Kansas City has struggled to get its ground game going in goal-line situations. According to The Kansas City Star, Walker has scored on just two of his 11 carries from inside the opponent’s five-yard line this season. Even more concerning, seven of those attempts have resulted in either no gain or a loss of yardage.
That’s left the Chiefs with an abysmal 18.2% touchdown rate on rushing attempts inside the five, the second-worst mark in the entire NFL. It’s a frustrating trend for an offense that has otherwise found plenty of success on the ground.
To put things into perspective, Walker piled up 665 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through the first five games of the season, helping Kansas City get off to a perfect 5-0. He’s been everything the Chiefs hoped for when they brought him in, but even a back of his caliber needs his offensive line to win some battles up front.
Last Word on the Chiefs Biggest Offensive Asset
There’s a difference between an offensive line that can generate enough push to open running lanes and one that can consistently keep defenders away from its quarterback. The Chiefs have benefited enormously from Walker’s ability to create something out of nothing, but their pass protection remains a significant weak spot.
Eventually, that imbalance could come back to bite them. As the competition gets tougher and defensive fronts start dialing up the pressure, Kansas City can’t afford to rely on Walker to bail out the offensive line on every snap. If the big guys up front don’t clean things up, the Chiefs’ offensive resurgence could hit a serious roadblock.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
