Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker was Super Bowl LX MVP and he was the first running back to win the Super Bowl MVP honor since Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos. Walker is set to become a free agent this offseason. He was drafted by Seattle in 2022 in the second round and played for the Michigan State Spartans in college.
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Well, there are questions about Walker’s future with the Seahawks after the Super Bowl because of him being a free agent. Well, Adam Schefter of espn.com recently reported,
“It’s unlikely the Seahawks will use their franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, per league sources. The Seahawks have multiple free agents they want to retain and sign. They also will try to extend WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There are enough Super-Bowl tax costs that now make using a franchise tag this off-season unlikely.”
It would be a bad move for general manager John Schneider to potentially let Walker out of the building and let him go to another team. Yes, the Schneider has drafted well over the last four years, but Walker going to free agency is now a major risk for the Seahawks organization.
Seattle Seahawks Fans Livid Over Decision To Not Franchise Tag Kenneth Walker
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) carries the ball against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
There are a lot of Seahawks fans are not thrilled that Schneider isn’t going to franchise tag Walker. Seattle is now risking the chance of losing him entirely in free agency this offseason. This is what some Seahawks fans had to say about it on Twitter:
Not tagging your Super Bowl MVP is a wild decision. Walker proved he’s the guy on the biggest stage possible. Seattle better lock him up on a real deal or someone will throw massive money at him in free agency.
— Cyl (@lilcyl) February 17, 2026
If Seattle Seahawks let Ken walk, fans are gonna regret this by midseason 👀 RBs only ‘don’t matter’ till you lose a good one.
— Dabs (@Usmanrdabai) February 17, 2026
Super interesting choice. Tough to question Schneider at this point. But wow. Incredible playoff run by Kenneth Walker III.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) February 17, 2026
They better pay the man
— nfl fantasy football patrick pucci (@NFL_FantasyPat) February 17, 2026
Letting a Super Bowl MVP walk because of “tax costs” is wild.
You don’t cheap out on elite talent after a championship run — that’s how dynasties die before they start. If Seattle won’t tag Kenneth Walker, it’s not strategy… it’s ownership prioritizing spreadsheets over banners.
— Samuel Abosi⚡💪 (@Sam_Mindset) February 17, 2026
Walker is 25 years old. During the 2025 season with Seattle, he rushed for 1,027 yards on 221 carries and five touchdowns, along with averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Walker also caught 31 passes for 282 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 9.1 yards per reception. If he doesn’t re-sign with Seattle, there is no doubt a big market will appear for him in free agency. It would be a huge loss for Seattle if they can’t give him the money he wants.
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