Despite coming off the best season of his NFL career, the Seattle Seahawks are heading in a different direction without emerging star running back Kenneth Walker. The former second-round pick started all 17 games for the first time, finishing with 1,027 rushing yards on 221 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. Unfortunately for Walker, all good things must come to an end, and the Seahawks are focusing on other free agents, like wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, to retain. What’s interesting is that the Seahawks have the cap space to pay Walker on a three-year contract extension, since they’re projected to have almost $65 million.
Nobody can replace Walker, but when you have a head coach like Mike McDonald, the ceiling is high already for this Seahawks offense. However, they lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders within one day of winning the Super Bowl. The Seahawks are still searching for a replacement, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens in this situation.
Report: Seahawks Unlikely to “Tag” Kenneth Walker, Leading to Free Agency
Meanwhile, Walker is expected to have a strong market, but he might join a team that offers him the most money. With Walker already having a championship under his belt, it won’t matter where he goes next. While the Seahawks had a chance to make him at least the fourth-highest-paid running back in the league behind Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, he will have to find that elsewhere.
For the Seahawks, the search will commence as the Seahawks lost Zach Charbonnet to a torn ACL this past season. Charbonnet cut into Walker’s workload, but the overachieving former 2022 draft pick took advantage when Charbonnet was hurt. It shouldn’t be surprising if the Seahawks decide to bank on a veteran running back for at least a one-year contract. For Walker, here are some potential landing destinations for him.
Possible Next Teams
Washington Commanders
Many should expect the Washington Commanders to be aggressive again, similar to the offseason before Jayden Daniels had a breakout 2024 campaign. The Commanders traded away Brian Robinson Jr. to roll the dice on Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s potential, but he hasn’t been able to live up to the moment. Washington is projected to have between $68 – $76 million in cap space, which makes it perfect for the Commanders to pursue Walker.
Despite the team having a down year this past season, the Commanders have a chance to revitalize this offense if they play their cards right in free agency. Walker won’t be a prime Clinton Portis in Washington, but he has a chance to be the new staple that the Commanders were probably missing for multiple seasons.
Las Vegas Raiders
Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if Kubiak pushes hard for Walker. While the Raiders have former 2025 draft pick, Ashton Jeanty, Walker doesn’t need to have a full-time starter role. With Walker potentially coming in, it could allow the opportunity for the two running backs to battle it out for the starting position.
The Raiders have work to do with their offensive line, but when you get Walker in the mix, he could elevate the ground and help Jeanty blossom into a downhill runner.
Denver Broncos
After coming close to the Super Bowl this year, the Denver Broncos should be back in the AFC Championship Game. With the mind of head coach Sean Payton and a talented quarterback in Bo Nix, this offense is too loaded for the team not to have its chance. RJ Harvey might’ve broken out last season, but Walker could be an assist in a situational role.