Ken Walker
Getty
Ken Walker may be on the verge of leaving the Seahawks in NFL free agency.
The Seattle Seahawks have plenty of competition if the team intends to re-sign Ken Walker. Seattle’s decision not to place the franchise tag on Walker may have been a hint that the Seahawks are comfortable letting the Super Bowl MVP sign elsewhere given his rising market value.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that three teams have already emerged as the top contenders to land Walker. The Seahawks star is considering the following three teams: Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants.
“Kenneth Walker seems to be the market-setter as it stands, but Travis Etienne Jr. will be right there in the mix,” Fowler wrote in a March 8, 2026, story titled, “NFL free agency buzz: Latest on WRs, RBs on the move.” “Some teams I’ve talked to are setting the market’s ceiling at around $12 million. That could go up if enough teams get involved.
“I’m hearing Walker will consider the Giants and Commanders among his options, with the Titans as a possibility, too. Etienne has AFC West love via Denver and Kansas City. Both of those teams could check on Walker and others, too, depending on price ranges.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest NFL rumors surrounding Walker’s future.
Seahawks RB Ken Walker Projected to Land New $36 Million Contract in NFL Free Agency
Walker is expected to be headed for a massive raise in NFL free agency, especially after his Super Bowl MVP performance. Spotrac projects Walker’s market value is a four-year, $36 million contract.
For context, Walker was previously on a four-year, $8.4 million rookie contract. It remains to be seen if the Seahawks will make a run to re-sign Walker, but the latest buzz appears to indicate Seattle is going to be in the market for a new starting running back.
Seahawks Rumors: ESPN’s Adam Schefter Expects Ken Walker to Leave Seattle
NFL free agency begins on Monday, March 9, but no new deals can be signed until Wednesday, March 11. ESPN’s Adam Schefter expects Walker to leave Seattle in the coming days.
“They’ve got a lot of other financial needs that they have to address,” Schefter remarked during a March 3, interview on “The Pat McAfee Show.” They’re going to want to re-sign Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, pay for the draft class, add some free agents. You just can’t pay everybody, and it’s almost like the Super Bowl tax. Everybody wants more money. And inevitably, there are some casualties along the way.
“In this particular case, they can’t afford to franchise (tag) Kenneth Walker. Not going to tag him at all. He’s going to get to the open market,” Schefter added.
“And my guess is with all the teams out there that need running backs, he’ll find an offer that is more lucrative than Seattle. And he’ll be leaving Seattle.”
Who Could the Seahawks Sign to Replace Ken Walker?
If Walker does sign elsewhere, the Seahawks will need to quickly pivot to another running back, especially with Zach Charbonnet coming off a season-ending ACL injury. Jacksonville Jaguars veteran Travis Etienne is also free agent but will likely land a deal similar to Walker.
Some potential veteran free agents who the Seahawks could consider are Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, Isiah Pacheco, Brian Robinson and Rachaad White among others. The Seahawks could look to pair one of these veterans alongside Charbonnet and a rookie the team targets in the upcoming NFL draft.