Kenneth Walker's signing with Chiefs 'A perfect storm' declares former NFL great

That endorsement comes from Brian Baldinger, a former offensive lineman who knows what it takes for running backs to succeed after a 13-year career spent paving the way for the likes of Hall of Fame tailback Tony Dorsett.

Kansas City agreed to terms with Walker after a breakout campaign with the Seattle Seahawks that culminated in MVP honours at Super Bowl LX - making him the first running back in 28 years to win the award.

Baldinger, speaking on NFL Network - available to Game Pass subscribers on DAZN - believes the motivation to find extra help in the ground game was clear.

"The Chiefs collapsed last year. Patrick Mahomes gets injured, and they don't make the playoffs. They've got problems at running back - Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco.

"The Chiefs needed a running back. A stud running back," he continued.

Baldinger outlined why the need to play catch-up with their division rivals likely factored into the Kansas City's decision.

"They have seen what the Broncos and the Chargers just did to them as they surpassed them last year," he said. "They want to get back onto the stage."

In Baldinger’s eyes, the circumstances surrounding Walker’s availability and Kansas City’s needs lined up in a fit that served both sides.

"It's just a perfect storm."

That coming together, he believes, gives Walker an opportunity to thrive in one of the league’s most creative offensive systems under head coach Andy Reid.

Candice Ward / Stringer

"He's great in the screen game,” Baldinger pointed out. "Anybody that's been around Andy Reid for the last 25 years, [knows] he's always got screens up in every single game plan."

The move headlines what has so far been a busy free agency for the Chiefs after bringing back Travis Kelce and signing safety Alohi Gilman.

While re-signing Kelce and adding Gilman were crucial captures, the arrival of Walker is undeniably the most important for a team looking to return to championship form.