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Seahawks Make $14.5 Million Kenneth Walker III Decision on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Kevin Matthew Borba | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 1:21 PM ET

Following the team's Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks have a handful of players whom they will attempt to get under contract.

One player they had to decide on was actually named MVP of the Super Bowl, running back Kenneth Walker. The 25-year-old Michigan State product who they drafted with the No. 41 overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season.

Throughout the postseason, Walker tallied 65 carries for 313 yards and four scores, while posting a season-high 135 yards rushing in the Super Bowl. Although he is one of the more productive running backs in the league, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed on Tuesday that the Seahawks will not be using the franchise tag on Walker.

Sources: the Seattle Seahawks are not expected to tag Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who now is poised to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year opens. pic.twitter.com/n0pEIdZULX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026

As a result, Walker will become an unrestricted free agent, while Seattle avoids paying him what ESPN confirmed to be $14.5 million if they had franchise-tagged him.

The report also confirmed that franchise tagging players is rare for this regime, as general manager John Schneider has only utilized the franchise tag twice in 16 years.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) attempts to stiff arm Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 25, 2025.Credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Walker will headline a free agent running backs class that also Travis Etienne Jr., Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier and Najee Harris.

When does NFL free agency start?

With teams around the league making decisions on whether or not they will franchise tag players, the league has a strict threshold regarding when negotiations can begin and then when they can become official.

"During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, ET, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 12," wrote the NFL.

With free agency and the NFL Draft on the horizon, expect there to be plenty of moving and shaking across the league.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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