The Seattle Seahawks lost their running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III after he agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III has agreed to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Walker is receiving a three-year deal with a $43.05 million base value and $28.7 million fully guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Brady Henderson. The Chiefs felt improving their rushing attack was one of their top priorities this offseason. The Chiefs were intrigued by Walker's ability to make dynamic highlights,” ESPN wrote.
A team the Seahawks will be keeping an eye on is the New Orleans Saints after they agreed to a deal with Travis Etienne Jr..
“Former Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., a Louisiana native who felt it important to be near home, will be signing a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter,” ESPN reported.
There is growing speculation that the Saints and Seahawks could agree on a trade that would involve sending Alvin Kamara to Seattle.
“After losing Walker to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Seattle will have to pivot hard to shore up its clearly weakened rushing game. Backup Zach Charbonnet is a solid talent but he hasn't proven he can be a 17-game workhorse (yet). If head coach Mike MacDonald wants to test that theory, he's going to need a capable RB2 that can catch passes from QB Sam Darnold and act as a change-of-pace option. Kamara has nearly 5,000 career receiving yards to boost his resume in any discussions about acquiring him. The Seahawks could consider drafting a rookie rusher but it's a risk that could result in disaster for the long-term if the pick doesn't hit. Kamara at least provides MacDonald with some immediate security in the team's title defense while it evaluates its future strategy at the position,” FanSided’s Austen Bundy wrote.
The Seahawks would likely welcome this deal, as Kamara is on an expiring contract, allowing the team to reassess the position next offseason. Out of the backfield, Kamara is a threat both as a runner and a pass-catcher.
Seattle would not be taking a major step back at the running back position. In fact, adding Kamara could improve the passing game, giving quarterback Sam Darnold another versatile weapon.