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Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before a game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Houston Texans have a pressing need to address on the offensive side of the ball, and it is not quarterback C.J. Stroud’s future. Instead, the Texans must continue to build out their roster around Stroud, and a player like Kenneth Walker III could be a solution.
That is, if the Texans even get an opportunity to land him.
Walker’s future remains uncertain heading into the offseason, fresh off winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
Texans Floated as Landing Spot for Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker
GettyKenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a first down against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Texans’ offense took a lot of criticism this past season, particularly Stroud and the passing attack. But the Texans’ running game was even worse, finishing 22nd in rushing yards during the regular season.
That is eight slots worse than their passing game ranked.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles sorted through several potential landing spots for Walker, including a return to the Seahawks, and the Texans made the list as a “sleeper team.”
“Houston’s running backs ranked 27th in explosive rush rate in 2025, and Joe Mixon’s football future is uncertain due to a ‘freak’ medical condition,” Pereles wrote on February 9. “Woody Marks had a nice rookie year, but adding Walker would provide much-needed playmaking.”
Marks was a fourth-round pick by the Texans, selected with the 116th overall pick of the 2025 draft. He rushed for 703 yards and 2 TDs on 196 carries, adding a 24-208-3 line as a receiver.
The Texans signed Nick Chubb in free agency last offseason, but he is a free agent again.
Walker is not a perfect option, but few players available in free agency ever are. Still, Walker could help boost the Texans’ run game. And after the team showed an interest in pending New York Jets tailback Breece Hall before the trade deadline, Walker should be an option if free.
Kenneth Walker an Imperfect Option
GettyKenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball against the New England Patriots.
Walker was a second-round pick by the Seahawks, taken 41st overall in the 2022 draft. He surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career. He also had over 900 yards on the ground in 2023. His 5 rushing touchdowns this past season are a career low.
Walker tallied 135 rushing yards in the Super Bowl, earning MVP honors despite not scoring.
He also added 26 receiving yards, giving him at least that many in all three of the Seahawks’ postseason contests.
Walker is not a strong pass-catcher, but he has had 250-plus receiving yards in each of the past three seasons. He has also been a poor pass protector, which is a suggested area of focus for the Texans amid Stroud’s struggles.
Texans’ Finances in Focus
Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during a practice ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Walker is coming off a four-year, $8.4 million contract with the Seahawks, who have plenty of cap space heading into the offseason. Spotrac projects Walker could command $9 million annually, with a four-year, $36 million contract as an example.
The Texans, though, are facing a bit of a salary cap crunch.
Over The Cap projects them to be over $1.5 million over the threshold, but they have several mechanisms to get in compliance and even create wiggle room.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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