Kenneth Walker III set to hit free agency after Seahawks pass on franchise tag
Kenneth Walker III is poised to enter free agency, because the Seattle Seahawks aren’t anticipated to franchise tag him earlier than Tuesday’s 4 pm ET deadline, according to ESPN.
Walker, 25, is set to turn into the fourth reigning superbowl MVP to enter free agency. The different three — former defensive backs Larry Brown and Dexter Jackson and return specialist Desmond Howard — every signed with new groups after testing the market.
Walker and the Seahawks may nonetheless come to phrases on a brand new deal earlier than 4 pm on March 11, the official begin of free agency. If they do not, groups can start contacting Walker and his representatives at midday on March 9, when the league’s authorized tampering interval begins.
Walker is coming into free agency for the primary time at a super second. His market worth possible rose after he capped a largely profitable 2025 season by successful MVP honors following Seattle’s victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. In a defensive-dominated recreation, Walker was the perfect offensive participant on the sector, amassing 161 all-purpose yards, together with 135 yards on 26 carries. He turned the first running back in 28 years to win Super Bowl MVP.
Walker will possible vault to the highest of the record of soon-to-be available running backs. His choices may embody the Kansas City Chiefs (each Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are set to turn into free brokers) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (like Walker, Travis Etienne is on an expiring rookie contract).
From Super Bowl MVP to free agent? Ranking where Seahawks star Kenneth Walker III could land
Zachary Pereles
If they do not re-sign Walker, the Seahawks will possible look to exchange him in free agency or in the course of the 2026 NFL Draft. Seattle nonetheless has a productive working again below contract in Zach Charbonneta 2023 second-round decide who led the workforce with 12 landing runs this previous season. An harm, nonetheless, stored Charbonnet out of the Seahawks’ closing two playoff video games.
