Walker’s History From Shotgun Is Chief Concern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jalen Hurts is on his 11th offensive coordinator in 11 years. Kenneth Walker is on his fourth playcaller in four seasons.

They play different positions but they’re both facing a career-crossroads season. The key question, at least for the Chiefs, is whether they’ll change their offense to fit Walker’s strengths. If not, will they ask Walker to change his game to fit their offense. Andy Reid said something Tuesday that signals how they’ll utilize Walker, courtesy of Jesse Newell from The Athletic.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid says RB Kenneth Walker III worked a lot two years ago out of shotgun and last year primarily under center. Says his stats were good in both. Reid says Chiefs feel like they have an RB who can be effective in either setting.
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) March 31, 2026

Walker’s newest playcaller, Reid, runs a significantly different system compared to the playbook that launched Walker through the 2025 postseason, a run punctuated by a Super Bowl MVP.

True, his earlier Seattle offensive coordinators Shane Waldron and Ryan Grubb used Walker in shotgun and RPO more often than Klint Kubiak in 2025. However, Waker over his four-year career has always gotten the bulk of his work – and inflicted the bulk of his pain on defenses – from under-center snaps.

Shotgun vs. under-center breakdown

As a rookie under Waldron in 2022, Walker from shotgun averaged 4.1 yards per carry (80-for-327) with six touchdowns. Under center, he averaged 4.9 yards (148-for-723) with three touchdowns. The next year, he also averaged fewer yards per carry out of shotgun (3.5) compared to under-center (4.5).

In 2024 under Grubb, Walker had slightly better and more balanced numbers out of shotgun (3.9 avg., 74-for-291, three touchdowns) compared to under-center (3.6 avg., 79-for-282, four TD). That also marked his least productive NFL season.

darnold walke — Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hands the ball off to Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

And look no further than 2025, when Walker thrived in Kubiak’s system, the Shanahan-McVay offense. He posted a career-high 1,309 yards from scrimmage, and only six of his carries came out of RPO situations.

Over his four-year career, Walker has 545 carries from under-center snaps (4.5 avg.) and 276 from shotgun (3.9 avg.). He has 60 career attempts from RPO calls (4.8 avg.) and 761 (4.3 avg.) from non-RPO plays.

hun — Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Short-yardage history

The other interesting question is how much Kansas City will keep Walker on the field in short-yardage situations. Last year, Kubiak preferred Zach Charbonnet and, after Charbonnet’s injury, George Holani, with Walker off the field.

Unsigned free agent Kareem Hunt was more successful in those situations for the Chiefs than the Tush Push. It’s a significant hole in the Kansas City offense. Should they choose Walker in those situations, his history shouldn’t give them confidence.

Facing third- or fourth-and-3 or less, Walker over four years has converted only 22 of 38 attempts (57.9 percent). Last season, he got just two carries in those situations, eight in 2023 and nine in 2022. Clearly, his offensive coaches have seen him much more valuable on first and second downs.