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Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after winning Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots.
The Houston Texans will try to revamp their running back room for the third straight offseason, and they figure to be a strong player for a prominent one in Seattle Seahawks free agent Kenneth Walker III.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans openly remarked on wanting to improve the group, and general manager Nick Caserio said they will have more than the three they currently roster.
As free agency draws nearer, the whispers remain consistent.
Texans Sending Clear Signals on Roster Plans
GettyKenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with fans during the Super Bowl LX victory celebration.
The Texans have options in free agency, but their roster issues at running back have led to open dialogue. At this point, it would be surprising to see the Texans not add at least one runner to their roster this offseason.
Their options are limited, though, particularly with the New York Jets planning to tag Breece Hall, who could still be a trade target.
“That makes Kenneth Walker III, the current Super Bowl MVP, the top available player, though Seattle hasn’t committed to keeping him,” Pro Football Sports Network’s Ben Belford-Peltzman wrote on March 1. “Houston is also expected to be aggressive, especially since Joe Mixon will likely be released, and the Texans have been linked to Walker.”
Belford-Peltzman’s take is a consistent one in national media circles.
“Kenneth Walker III, who sounds like he’s generating enough outside interest to spell the end of his time in Seattle,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote on March 1. “Teams I expect to see gauge the free agent RB market include the Chiefs, Texans and Giants, among others.”
That is a lot of competition, and the Texans are facing significant salary cap restraints, though they have mechanisms to create the necessary breathing room if need be.
Whether the Texans would splurge on Walker for their roster in free agency is the question.
Kenneth Walker III Profiles as Fit for Texans
GettyKenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LX.
The Texans have three backs under contract for 2026. Mixon’s playing future is in question after he missed the 2025 season with a mysterious injury. Nick Chubb is a free agent. The other backs on the Texans’ roster–Jawhar Jordan and Wood Marks–are better as complements.
That could lead them to explore options like Walker.
He is more proven than Jordan, a sixth-round pick in 2024, or Marks, a fourth-round selection in 2025, who assumed a lead role for the Texans down the stretch.
“Walker played one of the best games of his career in a Super Bowl MVP performance against the Patriots,” The Athletic’s Daniel Popper wrote in February. “This playoff run showcased all the best attributes of Walker’s game.
“A well-rounded back who should parlay a Super Bowl ring into a long-term payday.”
Popper commended Walker’s “compact build,” elusiveness, speed, and ability to run between the tackles.
He also cited Walker’s pass-catching prowess, specifically citing his route-running and run-after-catch “instincts,” as well as his “sound base” in pass protection. These were some of the questions that have emerged about him, while he split time with Zach Charbonnet.
Kenneth Walker III Projected to Cash In
GettyKenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before a game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Popper projected a four-year, $52 million contract for Walker in free agency. Spotrac projected a four-year, $36 million pact.
The latter would obviously be far more palatable for the Texans and other prospective suitors.
The Texans also have to address their offensive and defensive lines and tight end positions, putting further strains on their cap creativity. The Texans have fittingly shown interest in the running back class in the 2026 draft, which would be more cost-effective.
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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