New NFL Rumors on Kenneth Walker III, Potential Seahawks Franchise Tag Ahead of 2026 Free Agency

Coming off a dazzling postseason run that was capped off by winning MVP of Super Bowl 60, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III appears headed toward free agency.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are unlikely to use their franchise tag on Walker entering an offseason in which they have several key free agents to try retaining as they look to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

The estimated franchise tag value for running backs in 2026 is $14.5 million. Seattle does project to have $63.6 million in cap space this offseason.

General manager John Schneider has only used the franchise tag twice in his 16 seasons with the organization. The first time was for kicker Olindo Mare in 2010. The last Seahawks player to be tagged was Frank Clark in 2019 before he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Walker is one of nine Seahawks players set to hit unrestricted free agency next month. Other members of that group include Rashid Shaheed, Boye Mafe, Josh Jobe, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen.

This offseason also marks the first time that Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, both first-round picks in the 2023 draft, are eligible to sign long-term extensions.

Schefter specifically cited Smith-Njigba as a player the Seahawks will attempt to get an extension done. The third-year wideout led the NFL in receiving yards (1,793) and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.

The 2025 campaign marked the final year of Walker's rookie contract. He has been Seattle's starting running back since entering the league in 2022, but the team has relied heavily on a platoon with him and Zach Charbonnet.

Charbonnet set career-highs in rushing attempts (184), touches (204) and rushing touchdowns (12) in 2025. His season ended prematurely due to a torn ACL suffered in the first half of Seattle's 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

Walker took on a bigger role in the offense throughout the postseason with Charbonnet unavailable. He recorded more than 100 yards from scrimmage in all three playoff games, capped off by 135 rushing yards in the Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.

The Michigan State alum has averaged 1,140 scrimmage yards and 7.8 touchdowns per season in his first four NFL seasons.