The Seattle Seahawks went from the last team out of the NFC playoffs in 2024 to Super Bowl champions last year, but that level of success always comes with a cost, which the franchise is likely going to feel in at least one very real way this offseason.
Dan Graziano of ESPN named Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, who won Super Bowl MVP honors in early February, as one of three running backs likely to earn more on the open market than the $16 million guaranteed that Javonte Williams pulled down from the Dallas Cowboys via his contract extension last month.
“Kenneth Walker III … sounds like he’s generating enough outside interest to spell the end of his time in Seattle,” Graziano wrote.
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Walker was a second-round pick in 2022 and finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting that season. He missed two games the following campaign and six contests in 2024 due to injury.
However, Walker bounced back with a and five touchdowns on the ground across a full 17 contests in 2025, adding 36 catches for 282 receiving yards as well. Walker was even better in the playoffs, tallying 313 rushing yards and four scores on the ground to go with nine catches for 104 yards through the air in three games played.
Spotrac projects his market value at $36 million total over a new four-year deal, which equates to $9 million annually. Walker has a good chance to get that money based on the deal Dallas gave Williams, plus the fact that the rookie running back class in 2026 is exceedingly thin behind Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, who could come off the board inside the top 10.
Teams Graziano mentioned as potentially in need of a new starting RB this offseason include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Houston Texans, among others.
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