Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker during a press conference.
At Brian Fleury’s introductory press conference on Feb. 19, 2026, the new Seahawks offensive coordinator got the kind of question that tells you exactly what Seattle’s offseason is about to be: recruiting its own locker room.
Fleury was asked what he’d tell Rashid Shaheed and Kenneth Walker — two Seahawks offensive stars headed for free agency — if they were listening and trying to learn what their new coordinator will be like.
His response walked the line teams always walk this time of year: sell the vision, avoid contract specifics.
Fleury pointed to continuity, praised what both players just accomplished, and added, “I would love the opportunity to work with either one of them,” while noting he couldn’t get into details because of their contract situations.
Seahawks Depth Chart: Kenneth Walker, The Franchise Tag Number Is the Clock
Walker is the heavier lift because running back negotiations move fast, and because the tag is expensive.
A Reuters report on Feb. 17 said Seattle is unlikely to apply the franchise tag to Walker, with the one-year projected tag number around $14.1 million.
If that holds, it shapes everything:
No tag = Walker can hit the market.
Market = Seattle competes with outside bidders.
Competition = either a quick deal, or a real risk of losing a centerpiece.
The same Reuters report noted Walker is coming off his rookie deal and highlighted his production history in Seattle (including career rushing/receiving totals), underscoring why he’s a premium decision point.
During the presser, Fleury also brought up the exact thing fans will care about most: how his offensive mindset would translate to maximizing a star back. Earlier, when asked about red-zone offense, he said teams that can run it in tend to have the most success, and he stressed quarterback-friendly execution down there.
If Walker returns, that’s a neon sign for how Seattle wants to keep playing: physical, fast, and able to finish drives on the ground.
Seahawks Free Agency: Rashid Shaheed, the Midseason Add Who Became a Real Piece
Shaheed’s name matters here because Seattle didn’t rent him.
The Seahawks acquired Shaheed from the Saints at the trade deadline, and New Orleans announced the return as a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick. That’s meaningful investment, and it’s why his free agency is one of the most consequential “keep-or-lose” decisions Seattle has.
In the 2025 regular season, Shaheed posted 59 catches for 687 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also contributed in the postseason, giving Seattle speed that changes how defenses call games.
And on the same day as Fleury’s presser, Shaheed indicated he’d be open to staying: he said he’s “absolutely” interested in re-signing with Seattle, per NFL Network reporting aggregated by RotoWire/CBS.
That’s the setup: player wants it, team spent real capital, and the new OC is already publicly selling “continuity.”
Why Fleury’s Answer Matters (Even If It Was Carefully Worded)
Coaches rarely say anything “new” about contracts in public. The value is in what they choose to emphasize.
Fleury emphasized:
Continuity (the pitch: you’re not starting over)
Role clarity (what Macdonald called “clarity” and decisiveness as a leadership trait)
Aggressive identity (fast/violent/aggressive) — which is basically a recruitment line for skill talent
Seattle’s offseason now has a clear sequence: get the staff finalized, then handle the offensive core. And based on the questions Fleury took on Day 1, Shaheed and Walker are going to define how much of this Super Bowl offense stays intact, and how much changes by necessity.