Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner during a press conference.
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner appeared to post an emotional reaction on Instagram after Kenneth Walker III’s free-agency exit, with Walker then resharing it. The big news is that Walker is leaving Seattle for the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year deal worth up to $45 million, with $28.7 million fully guaranteed, as reported by NFL Network insiders via NFL.com. That matters immediately because Monday, March 9, marks the start of the NFL’s legal tampering window, when the league’s biggest deals begin reshaping rosters ahead of the new league year.
Heavy
For Seattle, this is not just another free-agent departure. Walker was coming off a championship run and leaves as one of the Seahawks’ most explosive offensive players. ESPN’s Chiefs and Seahawks coverage noted that Seattle had preferred to keep Walker in a shared backfield, but not at the price Kansas City ultimately paid.
Seahawks News: Kenneth Walker Signs With Chiefs
Kenneth Walker is gone, and the Seahawks now have a major opening in their backfield. NFL.com reported the Chiefs targeted Walker at the opening of free agency, while ESPN framed the move as a major investment in Kansas City’s offense after an underwhelming run game in 2025.
That is why Barner’s reaction resonates. It reflects what Seahawks fans are feeling too: this is a core player leaving a title team at the exact moment Seattle is trying to figure out how much of that roster it can keep together.
Kenneth Walker Stats
Walker’s production explains why his market moved so fast. NFL.com’s stats page shows he rushed for 1,027 yards in 2025 and finished his Seattle tenure with 3,555 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 133 catches, 1,005 receiving yards and two receiving scores. ESPN also noted Walker remained one of the league’s most explosive runners even while splitting work in Seattle’s backfield.
That is the biggest value add here: Seattle is not just losing a recognizable name. The Seahawks are losing proven burst, playoff credibility and a player defensive coordinators had to account for every week.
NFL Free Agency: Seahawks Moves So Far
Walker’s departure is part of a much bigger Seahawks offseason picture. Seattle’s official free-agency primer emphasized continuity, while outside tracking of the team’s moves shows the Seahawks have also been working through key decisions on their own free agents and depth pieces. Walker’s exit alongside reported movement involving players such as Boye Mafe and Coby Bryant, while Seattle’s official transactions page remains the primary hub for confirmed team moves.
Those numbers explain why his market moved quickly. He was not just a name player leaving town; he was still in his prime and coming off another 1,000-yard season. Seahawks.com also highlights the explosive-play profile that made him such a dangerous runner early in his career, including his history of long touchdown runs and top-end speed.
That is what makes Barner’s apparent reaction resonate. Fans are not just reacting to one player leaving. They are watching the roster evolve in real time after a championship season
What happens next?
The next layer of this story is Seattle’s response: whether the Seahawks trust Charbonnet as RB1, whether they add veteran help, and how quickly they move to replace Walker’s explosive-play production.