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Kenneth Walker III has good news amid free agency rumblings.
Super Bowl MVP and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III is in an offseason of possibilities as a free agent, and that just took on a new dynamic on Tuesday.
Walker could either leave the Seahawks for a big contract, or he can give it time to see if Seattle will increase his pay. Since star running back Breece Hall received the franchise tag with the New York Jets on Tuesday, it looks promising that Walker could experience the latter option and stay in Seattle.
That’s the position of ESPN’s Ben Solak, who observed that Hall’s $14.293 million opens the door for Walker to get a pay increase with the Seahawks. Walker has a four-year, $8.44 million deal with the team.
“Kenneth Walker, prepare to get PAID,” Solak wrote on X in light of the Hall franchise tag.
Walker has been considered one of the top free agent running backs around the league with Hall this offseason, and their numbers are comparable to each other. That’s despite the fact that Walker normally splits time with fellow running back Zach Charbonnet, who sustained a knee injury late last season and will miss much of 2026.
In 2025, Hall had 243 carries for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns, and he caught 36 passes for 350 yards and a score. Walker had 221 carries for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, and he posted 36 catches for 282 yards.
Kenneth Walker III Bolstered His Value in Playoffs
While Hall gets $14.293 million to a team that didn’t make the playoffs, Walker can command more after playing an irreplaceable role in the postseason for the Seahawks.
Walker rushed 65 times for 313 yards and four touchdowns, and he caught nine passes for 104 yards as he helped the Seahawks win three games and go turnover-free for the postseason. Against a stingy New England Patriots defense in the Super Bowl, Walker was the only skill player making headway for most of that game.
That postseason performance arguably justifies more pay for Walker than what Hall just received. The Seahawks can either pay Walker above Hall’s numbers on a new contract, or risk watching the Super Bowl MVP sign elsewhere.
Kenneth Walker III Suitors Amid Not Getting Tagged
ESPN’s Peter Schrager reported on Tuesday that the Seahawks won’t franchise tag Walker, which means teams will come calling for Walker soon if the Seahawks don’t reach a deal with him before the new league year in mid March.
Teams that could pursue Walker include the Kansas City Chiefs, which look to bolster the running back position and get back on track for a Super Bowl run. The Chiefs want to take the rushing load off of quarterback Patrick Mahomes when he returns after an ACL tear.
The New York Giants are another team to watch out for since promising rookie running back Cam Skattebo went down with a season-ending injury in 2025. New York has a new look this offseason under new head coach John Harbaugh, and he just recently had a star running back in Derrick Henry during his Baltimore Ravens tenure.
Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis
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