“Why are we acting like Ken Walker’s suddenly irreplaceable just because he was Super Bowl MVP? We spent the whole season wondering whether or not (Zach) Charbonnet was better.”

That was a listener question submitted to us at Bump and Stacy during a conversation Monday about the kind of money the Seattle Seahawks running back could command in free agency, and it feels especially relevant following ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter’s Tuesday morning report that the Seahawks aren’t expected to franchise tag their starting running back.

I appreciated that response, mostly because it underscored precisely why the decision on Walker is quietly difficult. As a more direct response to this listener, I don’t think Walker’s well-earned Super Bowl MVP honor has suddenly convinced the Seahawks or their fans of anything at all; instead, I think hesitation about moving on from Walker is borne of discomfort with a gamble — and as someone who isn’t a gambler, I can’t help but point to what the Seahawks are risking.

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So let’s understand what the risk is – and then explore one solution.

Real depth concerns

By far the most common response we get is that Seattle can turn to backups Kenny McIntosh and George Holani in Walker leaves. Fair take! It would be wonderful for Seattle if the pair could spring into action and replace Walker’s production.

It’s also, in my opinion, a romantic assumption. Walker is Seattle’s most explosive back, and it’s hard to replace that talent in the aggregate. The remaining running back room carries plenty of questions, too. McIntosh missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL and returning vet Charbonnet is expected to miss a chunk of 2026.

What’s your identity?

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs might not need the best running game in football, but the run is central to the Seahawks’ offensive identity, and that’s especially true under new offensive coordinator and former 49ers run game coordinator Brian Fleury.

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Having a stated identity doesn’t always mean hitting on it. The 2017 Seahawks wanted to be able to run the ball and simply couldn’t. Just one running back recorded a rushing touchdown that year. And the team went several seasons between 1,000-yard backs (Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to Chris Carson in 2018). Seahawks fans have seen attempts and failures with establishing a consistent run game.

Do you need to re-sign Walker?

Is moving on the wrong choice? Of course not! I might like Walker for this offense, but there’s a risk inherent to re-signing him to a top-of-the-market deal, too. I don’t need to spend too much time highlighting the gamble in investing in a halfback who’s shined as part of a committee and who’s spent a bit too much time on injured reserve.

But you do need to sign someone. It’s not going to be Breece Hall, a favorite target for a few Seahawks fans, who was tagged by the Jets Tuesday. There are other popular options remaining, such as Travis Etienne Jr., Tyler Allgeier and Rico Dowdle, who could be signed on cheaper deals.

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