Seahawks Unlikely to Tag Kenneth Walker III After Super Bowl MVP Run

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Fresh off a championship season, the Seattle Seahawks face a fascinating offseason decision. Despite Kenneth Walker III’s electric performance on the league’s biggest stage, league sources indicate Seattle is unlikely to apply the franchise tag to its star running back.

Beginning Tuesday, NFL teams can designate franchise or transition tags ahead of the March 3 deadline. For Seattle, though, several factors are shaping a different approach. The Seahawks are managing a roster with multiple priority free agents and are also expected to explore a contract extension for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Add in the financial ripple effects that follow a Super Bowl appearance, and the tag becomes a far less probable path.

Walker’s case is compelling. In the Seahawks’ 29 to 13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, he delivered a signature performance: 135 rushing yards on 27 carries, plus two receptions for 26 yards. The effort earned him Super Bowl MVP honors, making him the first running back to claim the award since Terrell Davis did so with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII.

Now Walker heads toward unrestricted free agency for the first time. He just completed the final year of his rookie deal, which carried a modest salary cap hit of just under $2.7 million. By contrast, the projected franchise tag for running backs sits at approximately $14.5 million, while the transition tag would cost around $11.7 million. For a team balancing extensions, re-signings, and overall cap flexibility, that jump is significant.

Seattle’s organizational history adds context. Under general manager John Schneider, the Seahawks have used the franchise tag only twice across 16 seasons. The front office has traditionally favored long-term planning and selective spending over splashy tag decisions.

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Walker’s regular season production underscores his value. Operating in a shared backfield with Zach Charbonnet, he rushed for 1,027 yards on 221 attempts and added five touchdowns. His explosiveness remained a defining trait, with 33 runs of 10 or more yards, ranking sixth leaguewide. When Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in the divisional round, Walker took over as the lead back and elevated his game even further, amassing 417 scrimmage yards to pace all players during the postseason.

All signs suggest Seattle respects Walker’s impact while remaining cautious about the economics of tagging a running back. Whether that leads to a new deal, a competitive free agency market, or a surprise twist remains one of the offseason’s most intriguing storylines.

One thing is certain: Kenneth Walker III has already cemented his place in Seahawks lore. Now the question becomes whether his next chapter continues in Seattle or begins somewhere new.