The Seattle Seahawks are not expected to place the franchise tag on running back and reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
That means Walker will become an unrestricted free agent when the NFL’s new league year starts on March 11, unless he and the Seahawks come to terms on a new deal.
Per Schefter, if Walker signs elsewhere, he will become just the fourth reigning Super Bowl MVP in NFL history to play for a different team the following season, joining cornerback Larry Brown, kick returner Desmond Howard and safety Dexter Jackson.
Any number of teams in need of a running back figure to have interest in Walker, including the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.
A second-round pick out of Michigan State in 2022, Walker has spent his entire four-year NFL career in Seattle thus far.
The 25-year-old Walker rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, and 905 yards and eight scores in 2023, before his production dropped off significantly in 2024.
While injuries limiting him to 11 games played a role in that, so did the presence of 2023 second-round pick Zach Charbonnet, who rushed for 569 yards and eight scores in 2024.
Charbonnet upped his numbers to a career-high 730 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season, but Walker thrived in his own right, rushing for 1,027 yards and five scores.
Charbonnet was lost for the season when he tore his ACL during an NFC Divisional Round playoff win over the San Francisco 49ers, which paved the way for Walker to be the unquestioned leader of the Seattle backfield during the postseason.
As a result, Walker rushed for 313 yards and four touchdowns, while also catching nine passes for 104 yards in three playoff games.
He looked like the best player on the field in the biggest game of the year as well, rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries and reeling in two receptions for 26 yards in the Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
What’s Next for Kenneth Walker?
Given the role Walker played in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, letting him leave in free agency seems like a wild concept on the service, but it makes a bit more sense when considering the fact that multiple star players will require big contract extensions in the near future, including quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Of the teams that could be in the market for Walker should he leave Seattle, the Chiefs stand out as the most intriguing fit.
Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, and he would benefit greatly from a quality running game, which is something Kansas City hasn’t consistently had in years.
Of course, the Chiefs still have to get under the salary cap to even be a player for Walker, but they should be an option once that happens.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported last week that the Giants have been linked to some of the big-name running backs available in free agency and the draft, including Walker.
They already have 2025 fourth-round pick Cam Skattebo, who was excellent as a rookie when healthy, but he is coming off devastating leg and ankle injuries.
New Giants head coach John Harbaugh was heavily committed to the run during his time as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, which suggests he would be willing to pound the rock with regularity with Walker as the main beneficiary.