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The Detroit Lions’ offseason continues, and head coach Dan Campbell and the team’s management continue to make changes.
As the Detroit Lions‘ offseason continues, head coach Dan Campbell, general manager Brad Holmes and the team’s management continue to make changes with the goal to put the team in a better position for the 2026-27 season.
The Detroit Lions, of course, closed out the 2025-26 season with a 9-8 record and, according to team research, and no trip to the post season, not even the wild-card round. So, changes need to be made, and one was bringing in Drew Petzing as their offensive coordinator in January 2026, replacing John Morton.
So, the team is making changes when it comes to their staff. But, the Lions will also bring in new players, and one of them could be a Spartan fresh off a Super Bowl win.
A Super Bowl Winner Will Soon Be a Free Agent
The Seattle Seahawks are likely to pass up on the chance to re-sign Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, so the running back will be a free agent this offseason. Walker, according to research from Spotrac, will have a $14.1 million franchise tag, so as good as he is, that may hinder the Seahawks from bringing him back.
ESPN broke the news that Walker likely won’t be retained by the Seahawks, stating in a Tuesday, February 17, piece, “The Seattle Seahawks are unlikely to use either a franchise or transition tag on running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.”
ESPN added, “The Seahawks have multiple free agents that they want to retain and sign, and the team would also try to extend the contract of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”
Walker is expected, as a free agent, to get a deal anywhere from $9 to $11 million per year. While that’s a lot, he’s worth it. He’s the 2026 Super Bowl MVP, after all.
Sports Analyst Champions the Idea of Walker to the Detroit Lions
In a Wednesday, February 18, feature for SideLion Report, Candace Pedraza says that Walker would be a great fit for the Lions. “Walker is part of the one-two punch already existent in Seattle with himself and Zach Charbonnet, with Walker taking on a role more similar to that of Gibbs,” he notes. “That could make the fit clunky.”
He adds, “After all, Walker is another starting running back that’d be taking a back seat to Gibbs in any Lions offense. Detroit might feel more comfortable targeting a running back in free agency who is okay with stepping to the side in favor of more Gibbs carries.”
There’s also the fact that Walker is from Michigan State University. Bringing him back to the Mitten would feel like a homecoming. This author went to MSU, so having Walker back would simply be a thrill.
Walker clocked 135 yards on 27 carries and caught two passes for 26 yards in the 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, according to NFL research. That solid showing made him the first running back to be named MVP since the Denver Broncos‘ Terrell Davis won it in Super Bowl XXXII after the 1997 season.
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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