Kenneth Walker III
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The Seattle Seahawks have one reason to consider Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III "disposable" ahead of free agency.
He was the engine of their offense through the playoffs, before being named MVP of Super Bowl LV, but running back Kenneth Walker III is still somebody the Seattle Seahawks can consider “disposable” ahead of 2026 NFL free agency, for one very particular reason.
It has to do with the offense the defending champions will continue to run, even after seeing last season’s coordinator Klint Kubiak join the Las Vegas Raiders as head coach.
The system has its roots with Klint’s father Gary and the Mike Shanahan coaching tree. This lineage is why NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks believes that “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…. As they say, ‘It’s business, never personal.'”
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
Brooks was responding to reports the Seahawks don’t intend to use the franchise tag in order to retain Walker’s services for another season. That’s a contentious decision, despite Brooks’ logical reference to the Shanahan ground game and the many interchangeable running backs who’ve thrived within its confines across the decades.
Walker may look like just another product of the system, but the 25-year-old did enough this postseason to prove he’s a deluxe talent the Seahawks would regret letting test the veteran market.
Seahawks Sticking With System That Devalues RBs
There’s a strange irony about the Shanahan offense. Namely, how it makes stars of running backs, while at the same time, devaluing the position.
The decline in value stems from the mystique attached to the famed outside zone-stretch rushing scheme. So many backs topping the 1,000-yard mark running this play inadvertently created the idea anybody could make it work.
Running backs became interchangeable, with Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson and Clinton Portis thriving for Mike Shanahan with the Denver Broncos. More success followed in Washington, where 2011 NFL draft sixth-round pick Alfred Morris became an instant 1,000-yard rusher.
Shanahan senior’s work has been continued by Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers. His maintenance of the zone system profited the likes of Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert.
The success of the 49ers has led the Seahawks to entrusting their post-Kubiak offense to Shanahan’s former tight ends coach. Hiring Brian Fleury continues the run-first setup and play-action passing game Kubiak put into place.
His system was a variant of the Shanahan playbook learned from Gary Kubiak, who used it to turn Arian Foster and Justin Forsett into Pro Bowl runners.
Fleury saw the same game called with great success in San Francisco, so the Seahawks will likely continue doing the same. Yet, Fleury’s experience of interchangeable running backs needn’t be bad news for Walker.
Kenneth Walker III Can Still Prove His Worth
The ties between Fleury and the Shanahan/Kubiak rushing schemes are strong after he served as run-game coordinator for the Niners in 2025. That role got Fleury used to designing plays for 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, a premium version of the Shanahan-esque back.
McCaffrey’s a four-time Pro Bowler who has twice topped 1200 yards on the ground for the 49ers. He’s embraced the system, but pushed it to its greatest heights thanks to his own superior talents.
Just like McCaffrey proved an upgrade over Breida and Mostert, Terrell Davis was once the pinnacle of the Shanahan running back factory in Denver. He powered the Broncos to a pair of Super Bowl wins, becoming the last back to be named MVP before Walker trampled all over the New England Patriots this year, per NFL Senior Researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.
NFL Researcher
Kenneth Walker III had 161 scrimmage yards in #SuperBowlLX, the most by a RB since Terrell Davis in Super Bowl XXXII.
That was the last time a RB won Super Bowl MVP.
@Seahawks
Walker has the same ability to elevate a prolific scheme. He’s a special player who, while not always the most consistent, possesses elite, game-breaking ability.
Deciding his future is serious business for the Seahawks, despite general manager John Schneider attempting to make light of upcoming negotiations. Maybe the Seahawks could draft or sign another disposable workhorse to plug into Walker’s spot, but the replacement would be hard pressed to match No. 9’s patience, fluidity and explosiveness.
The Seahawks already have the best back for a system they’re not planning to alter, so there’s no sense in changing the pecking order in their backfield.