Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl LX MVP, is absolutely tearing up the NFL, leading the entire league in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage with a ridiculous 537 and 621 respectively, just four games into the 2026 season. Yeah, you read that right. He is showing everyone why he was clearly the best running back available in free agency, and honestly, it stings a little bit to see it happen for another team.
K9’s Unstoppable Start in Kansas City
Our guy, K9, is doing damage for the Kansas City Chiefs, and they scooped him up on a three-year, $43.05 million contract, averaging $14.35 million per year. He’s got $28.7 million fully guaranteed, with the potential to hit $45 million through incentives. Think about that for a second. The Chiefs haven’t really had a lethal rushing attack like this since Patrick Mahomes took over in 2018, and K9 just walked in and instantly changed their entire dimension. He is averaging a league-high 6.2 yards per carry and already has six touchdowns this season, with four rushing and two receiving. This man is just built different. He’s even joined Hall of Famers Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson as the only players to ever rush for at least 170 yards twice in their team’s first four games of a season. Seriously, Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson! That fast start earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, too. We all know what K9 is capable of, and it’s incredible to see him reach these heights.
The Darnold Dynasty We’re Still Buzzing About
While K9 is out there setting records, it’s a good moment to remember our own veteran acquisition success story: Sam Darnold. The Seahawks made a huge pivot when contract extension talks with Geno Smith stalled, leading to his trade to the Las Vegas Raiders back in March 2025. We brought Darnold in on a team-friendly three-year, $100.5 million contract, averaging $33.5 million per year, with a maximum of $115.5 million through incentives. What a steal that turned out to be! Darnold wasn’t just good, he was Pro Bowl caliber. He led our Emerald City heroes to the top seed in the NFC with a dominant 14-3 record, all the way to a Super Bowl LX win after we missed the playoffs in 2024. And remember that NFC Championship game against the Rams? Darnold absolutely earned his keep, connecting on 25 of 36 passes, a scorching 69.4 percent, for 356 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His 127.8 passer rating in that 31-27 win over LA was pure magic. It just goes to show you how much the right veteran move can impact a team’s destiny.
Other Vets Making Waves Early
It’s not just K9 making headlines out there, though. Kirk Cousins, for instance, is another veteran acquisition raising eyebrows. The Raiders signed him to a fully guaranteed one-year, $11.3 million deal. Everyone figured he was just a placeholder or bridge quarterback until the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and 2026’s first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, was ready to take over. But the 38-year-old is seriously showing he has more gas left in the tank than anyone expected. Cousins has thrown for 1,026 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions, connecting on 64.6 percent of his passes, 93 of 144 attempts, for a 99.5 passer rating. His 11 touchdown passes are tied for the league lead with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, and they are the most for the Raiders through four games. Talk about making a difference!
These early-season splashes from guys like Walker and Cousins are definitely setting the tone, but they also remind us that making the right moves in free agency can literally change a franchise’s trajectory. Who else is gonna pop off as the season rolls on? You gotta stay tapped in!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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