The Seattle Seahawks left the door open for Kenneth Walker III to test the open market after choosing not to place the franchise tag on the Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
With free agency set to begin March 11, Seattle now faces a choice: negotiate a new deal with Walker before the league year begins, or risk losing the running back to another team.
Walker earned MVP honors in Super Bowl LX after a 161-scrimmage-yard performance, carrying Seattle’s offense and playing a pivotal role in the team’s second Lombardi Trophy. Despite that, the Seahawks appear more focused on allocating their projected $63.6 million in salary cap space to retaining other key free agents, including receiver/returner Rashid Shaheed, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and defensive backs Tariq Woolen, Josh Jobe, and Coby Bryant.
Seattle’s strength has long been its “Dark Side” defense, and general manager John Schneider appears intent on preserving that unit while navigating a crowded free-agent market. Walker, who has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards just twice in four NFL seasons, shared the backfield with Zach Charbonnet until Charbonnet suffered a season-ending playoff injury.
While Walker’s contributions were critical in Seattle’s championship run and his smooth running style maximized yardage on limited touches, he isn’t considered indispensable to the Seahawks’ long-term offensive scheme. Using the franchise tag would have required paying him an average of the top five running back salaries in 2026 — a commitment the team appears unwilling to make.
The Seahawks could allow Walker to test the market and potentially return if the fit is right. It’s a calculated risk, but one Seattle seems prepared to take if a long-term deal isn’t reached before free agency begins.
