SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks just made the most controversial financial decision of the 2026 offseason. Despite Kenneth Walker III’s legendary performance in Super Bowl LX less than two weeks ago, the organization will reportedly decline to use the franchise tag on the reigning MVP, allowing him to test unrestricted free agency on March 9.
The decision sends the 25-year-old running back into the open market fresh off a 29-13 demolition of the New England Patriots, where he rushed for 135 yards and secured the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy. General Manager John Schneider, known for his aversion to the tag, stuck to his principles even in the face of championship euphoria.
The $14.5 Million Gamble
League sources indicate the decision boiled down to cold, hard math. The projected franchise tag for running backs this season sits at a steep $14.5 million—a massive jump from the $2.7 million Walker earned in the final year of his rookie deal. That 437% pay raise proved too rich for a front office facing a “Super Bowl tax” on a roster loaded with pending free agents.
Schneider’s history signaled this move long before the confetti fell. In 16 seasons running the Seahawks, he has deployed the franchise tag only twice: once on kicker Olindo Mare (2010) and once on Frank Clark (2019) to facilitate a trade. The message is consistent: Seattle pays for future production, not past hardware.
From ‘Next Man Up’ to MVP
Walker didn’t just play in the postseason; he carried the offense. His workload skyrocketed after Zach Charbonnet suffered a devastating ACL tear in the Divisional Round. Walker responded by racking up 417 scrimmage yards across three playoff games, punishing defenses that dared to stack the box.
In Super Bowl LX, he was a wrecking ball. New England had no answer for his lateral agility, as he averaged 5.8 yards per carry on the league’s biggest stage. He became the first running back since Terrell Davis (1997) to win Super Bowl MVP, a stat that usually guarantees a blank check from the team. But Seattle is betting they can find production elsewhere rather than resetting the running back market.
“It’s a business. We all know that. K9 won us that ring, point blank. If he’s back, we run it back. If he’s gotta go get his bag somewhere else, nobody in this room is gonna hold it against him. He earned every cent coming his way.”
— Geno Smith, Seahawks Quarterback
Free Agency Frenzy: March 9
The Seahawks are taking a calculated risk. By letting Walker walk, they prioritize extending young core pieces like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and retaining key defensive starters. However, they now face the terrifying prospect of Walker signing with a contender.
History is on the line here. No Super Bowl MVP has changed teams the immediate following season in over two decades. When the legal tampering window opens on March 9, expect a bidding war. Teams with cap space and a need for a bell-cow back—like the Giants or the Chargers—will likely line up to pay the premium Seattle refused.
For now, the Seahawks are Super Bowl champions, but their backfield future is entirely unknown.
