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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos may have just received their first real opening in what could become one of the biggest free agency storylines of the offseason.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Seattle Seahawks are “unlikely” to use the franchise tag on Kenneth Walker III this offseason.
That decision immediately shifts the landscape around one of the biggest potential free agents on the market.
Given the depth of the 2026 RB class and the Seahawks’ belief in the Shanahan/Kubiak system, which has always viewed RB as disposable assets, the Walker news is not surprising. The ‘Hawks will likely target a RB on Day 2 to replace the SB MVP with a younger and cheaper option….… https://t.co/9dlnw98GAr
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) February 17, 2026
Shortly after the report surfaced, NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks weighed in on the implications:
He noted that when a team hesitates to tag a championship-caliber running back coming off a Super Bowl MVP performance, it speaks volumes about how they value the position financially.
Brooks has previously emphasized that teams must be careful about “overpaying at running back,” even when the player has delivered on the biggest stage.
“Given the depth of the 2026 RB class and the Seahawks’ belief in the Shanahan/Kubiak system, which has always viewed RB as disposable assets, the Walker news is not surprising,” Brooks said.
“The ‘Hawks will likely target a RB on Day 2 to replace the SB MVP with a younger and cheaper option…. As they say, “It’s business, never personal.”
Walker’s postseason run elevated him into a different tier of player. He was dominant throughout the playoffs and capped it with a Super Bowl MVP.
Yet Seattle’s reported reluctance to tag him suggests the organization could be weighing long-term roster building over Walker’s recent success.
For Denver, that creates opportunity.
Seahawks’ Tag Decision Does Not Guarantee Departure
It is important to clarify what this report means.
The franchise tag is one way for a team to retain control over a pending free agent.
By choosing not to use it, Seattle is not automatically letting Walker walk.
The Seahawks can still negotiate and agree to a long term extension before he ever reaches the open market.
However, declining to tag him removes a powerful layer of leverage.
If extension talks stall or if Walker’s camp believes his market value exceeds Seattle’s comfort level, he could reach free agency with the ability to negotiate freely.
In other words, this is not a guarantee he leaves Seattle. But it is the first tangible sign that he could.
For a player coming off an unbelievable postseason run, it makes sense that he’ll look to cash in, and he has earned that right.
Why This Matters for the Broncos
Running back is one of the Broncos’ biggest needs heading into free agency, and adding a true difference-maker like Walker is near the top of their offseason priorities.
Walker would immediately upgrade their RB room and add proven postseason production to a team trying to take the next step.
His ability to thrive in both gap and zone concepts makes him an ideal schematic fit under Sean Payton’s system.
With J.K. Dobbins set to hit free agency, pairing Walker with rookie RJ Harvey would give Denver a backfield built on complementary skill sets.
Denver also has the financial flexibility to at least enter the conversation.
With approximately $26 to $29 million in cap space available, the idea of adding a Super Bowl MVP in his prime is not unrealistic if he reaches the market.
There will be competition. Seattle could still extend him and other teams could drive up the price.
But with the franchise tag reportedly off the table, there is at least a real opening for the Broncos to make a move on one of the most dynamic playmakers of the free agency class.