Standout running back Kenneth Walker III is planning to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Phew, that was a close one, but the New York Giants appear to be in the clear!
Walker was one of the top free agents available, evidenced by his agreeing to a contract within minutes of the NFL's "legal tampering period" opening. However, despite the Giants' documented interest, the fit never made much sense. No harm, no foul with him heading to the Chiefs, we suppose.
It's worth mentioning that New York reportedly "put in an offer" for Walker, albeit to no avail. Giants fans can thank the Chiefs for saving them from themselves.
Chiefs do Giants a massive favor by winning Kenneth Walker III free agency sweepstakes
There's no denying that Walker is a talented player. The 2022 second-round pick showcased his abilities throughout the Seattle Seahawks' title run this past season en route to Super Bowl LX MVP honors. Be that as it may, the Giants had no business trying to pursue him.
As Big Blue Nation knows, the Giants already have an intriguing young backfield duo in Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Perhaps the former's ongoing recovery from a fibula fracture prompted the Giants to explore other options, which is justifiable. Nevertheless, they can operate together or carry the load when one isn't available; why not bring in a cheaper, short-term fill-in?
Adding someone of Walker's stature and price tag signals a massive shift in a team's rushing attack. He's getting paid to step in and be a workhorse for the Chiefs. His arrival in New York would've rendered at least one of Skattebo and Tracy afterthoughts, if not both.
Moreover, and perhaps most notably, the Giants have several roster holes on both sides of the ball and aren't armed with ample cap space. Bolstering one of their stronger positions with other, more pressing needs could have made it much harder to continue making improvements this offseason. The money they didn't spend on Walker can now go towards upgrading areas like linebacker, wide receiver and the secondary.
Investing heavily in Walker is palatable for a contending club like the Chiefs, not a Giants squad undergoing a rebuild.