Patrick Mahomes(Image via Getty Images)
A direct message from the quarterback before the 2026 NFL Draft gave Johnson an unexpected vote of confidence, but the running back had spent years preparing for his opportunity.
“There’s 160 players before me that people, I guess, thought was a better option than me,” Johnson said. From carrying water during a childhood trip to Liberia to overcoming doubts about his blocking, Johnson has built his career around proving himself. Now, after earning the Chiefs’ backup running back role, the fifth-round pick is turning that determination into early-season results. The Chiefs quarterback had watched the Nebraska running back play at Arrowhead Stadium and wanted to learn more about his game. Their initial exchange developed into text conversations, giving Johnson an encouraging connection with one of the NFL’s biggest stars.
Patrick Mahomes saw something special in Emmett Johnson before the Kansas City Chiefs rookie ever stepped onto an NFL field. Mahomes took an unusual step before the draft by contacting Johnson through Instagram.
“It just opened my eyes,” he said. He forced six missed tackles on two receptions in his NFL debut against Denver, according to Pro Football Focus data, and later made a key special-teams play against Las Vegas. That mindset followed him into training camp. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach recalled an exchange in which Johnson challenged the team’s doubts about his pass protection. “I was just like, ‘Dang, this is what people have to do every single day, just to make it through a whole day. It just made me more grateful. The rookie has already delivered promising moments in Kansas City.