Kenneth Walker III Reveals How Early He Knew He Would Leave Seahawks Ahead of NFL Free Agency

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III says he knew before winning Super Bowl LX in February that he would be leaving the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.

"If I'm being honest, probably sometime during the season," Walker told NBC Sports' Mike Florio when asked about the 3:30 mark of the Pro Football Talk podcast when he knew he wouldn't be signing another contract with the Seahawks.

Walker continued, "Things didn't work out how I was expecting them to, and that's alright. It worked out for the team. But yeah, sometime during the season. And then we get to free agency, and you're pretty much knowing weren't going to be there."

Walker was named Super Bowl MVP after racking up 65 carries for 313 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in three playoff games for the champion Seahawks.

Despite the fairytale ending, Walker didn't sound too nostalgic when he discussed what it'll be like facing his former team.

"I would dap up all my teammates, but that's about it," he said.

That playoff run capped off a regular season during which he topped 1,000-rushing yards while splitting the backfield with Zach Charbonnet.

Walker said immediately after the Seahawks' Super Bowl win that he would "definitely" stay in Seattle if given the choice.

The Seahawks then passed on their first chance to retain Walker by declining to use a $14.2 million franchise tag to keep him in Seattle for 2026.

General manager John Schneider wanted to re-sign Walker to a deal with an average annual value worth less than $14.2 million, per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.

He will instead earn slightly more than the tag over the next three years after signing a contract worth at least $43.05 million with the Chiefs.

Walker is also hoping to get a shot at a larger pass-catching role as part of his new partnership with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he told Kay Adams in a Tuesday appearance on the Up & Adams Show.

"I feel like I'll be used more in the pass game... I feel like our chemistry is going to just keep building," Walker told Adams.

In Walker's absence, the Seahawks will hope 2026 first-round pick Jadarian Price will be able to step up and take Walker's former spot alongside Charbonnet next season.