The Kansas City Chiefs' debut for running back Kenneth Walker III was an instant success, and the NFL is honoring the explosive game. After his Week 1 performance against the Denver Broncos, the reigning Super Bowl MVP earned the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.
Walker led the league with 191 scrimmage yards, with 173 rushing and 18 receiving, in Week 1 and collected two touchdowns. He became one of six running backs in NFL history to tally at least 190 scrimmage yards, one rushing and one receiving touchdown in a Week 1 game.
No surprise here.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 16, 2026
The AFC Offensive Player of the Week is @Kenneth_Walker9 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fnOMfxKP02
The honor is Walker's second-career Player of the Week award; he previously earned it in Week 3 of the 2023 season
with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC. Walker is one of seven running backs in Chiefs history to receive the honor all-time and the first to do so in a season-opening game.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson are the AFC Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week. Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko are the NFC Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 1 games.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III earns first AFC Player of the Week award
