RENTON, Wash. — The confetti hasn’t even been swept from the streets of Seattle before the business of the NFL took a cold, calculated turn. Just eleven days after Kenneth Walker III carved through the New England Patriots to secure a 29-13 victory in Super Bowl LX, the Seahawks are reportedly prepared to let him walk. Sources indicate that General Manager John Schneider will not exercise the franchise tag on his star running back, setting the stage for a massive free-agency bidding war.
A Price Tag Too Steep for the Champs
The decision isn’t about talent; it’s about the ledger. The projected franchise tag for running backs in 2026 sits at a fully guaranteed $14.5 million. While Walker’s 135 rushing yards in Santa Clara proved he is the engine of the offense, Seattle’s cap space is already stretched thin. The team is currently absorbing a $37.9 million hit from quarterback Sam Darnold, whose career resurgence powered the Seahawks to a 17-3 record this season.
Schneider has a history of avoiding the tag, using it only twice in nearly two decades. Instead, the Seahawks appear to be prioritizing their youth. Defensive star Devon Witherspoon and Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba are both eligible for market-setting extensions. In a league that continues to devalue the running back position, Seattle is betting that their “Dark Side Defense” can carry the load while they find cheaper alternatives in the backfield.
What They Said
“It’s just a dream come true… the adversity showed who we were as a team. We got a brotherhood going on right now, and it’s special.”
— Kenneth Walker III, following his MVP performance in Super Bowl LX
The Open Market: Where Does Walker Land?
If Walker hits the market on March 3, he won’t be waiting long for a phone call. At 25 years old and coming off a championship run, he is the undisputed prize of the 2026 free-agent class. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys or the Houston Texans, both in need of an elite playmaker to anchor their rushing attack, could offer the long-term security Walker deserves—security the franchise tag simply doesn’t provide.
