INDIANAPOLIS — The confetti from Super Bowl LX hasn’t even washed out of the Levi’s Stadium turf, but the Seattle Seahawks are already on the clock. Head Coach Mike Macdonald and GM John Schneider arrived at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on a brutal, accelerated timeline. Just over two weeks ago, they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after crushing the New England Patriots 29-13. Today, they face a ruthless Seahawks free agency 2026 gauntlet.
The Super Bowl MVP Dilemma
Kenneth Walker III didn’t just run the ball in Santa Clara; he launched a continuous ground assault. Racking up 135 rushing yards, Walker snatched Super Bowl MVP honors and immediately drove his asking price into the stratosphere. Seattle relies heavily on his explosion, especially with Zach Charbonnet recovering from a Divisional Round ACL tear. Yet, league insiders expect Schneider to bypass the $14.5 million franchise tag.
The math requires absolute precision. Seattle swallowed a massive cap hit to extend quarterback Sam Darnold. Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba expect market-setting extensions soon. Walker wants to stay, but if a team with deep pockets backs up the Brinks truck, the Seahawks might watch their championship engine drive away.
Speed Costs Money
Rashid Shaheed injected pure adrenaline into Seattle’s special teams after his mid-season trade from New Orleans. He returned three kicks for scores this year, instantly solving a critical roster flaw. The 27-year-old speedster hits unrestricted free agency in March, and multiple receiver-needy teams, including the cap-rich Las Vegas Raiders, circle like sharks.
Then there is the defensive front. Boye Mafe exhausted his four-year rookie deal, leaving a glaring hole off the edge. If Mafe walks, Seattle must aggressively scout edge rushers this week inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The GPS tracking data from college prospects will dictate their draft board. Schneider still references Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe clocking 22 mph back in 2024; raw speed dictates the modern draft room, and the Seahawks need reinforcements.
“I kind of want to run it back. We just won the Super Bowl, so, you know, why not?”
— Rashid Shaheed, Wide Receiver
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Seattle defends a title in the NFL’s most hostile division. Letting Walker test the open market flirts with disaster if Charbonnet isn’t cleared for Week 1. Losing Shaheed strips the offense of its deep-ball terror. Schneider must execute a flawless cap strategy over the next 15 days before the new league year opens on March 11. If the front office miscalculates, the Rams and 49ers will immediately cannibalize the NFC West standings. The Combine interviews happening right now establish the backup plans. Seattle needs cheap, immediate rookie contributors to offset the inevitable veteran departures.
