The Seattle Seahawks made a surprising roster move this offseason by declining to place the franchise tag on Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III. After propelling the Seahawks through the playoffs, Walker is poised to garner a major payday in free agency, according to one NFL insider. Walker’s next stop could be between several potential suitors.
NFL Insider Identifies Potential Landing Spots for Kenneth Walker III
In his latest column for Sports Illustrated, NFL insider Albert Breer outlined what the market could look like for Walker if Seattle is unable to reach a long-term agreement with its star running back.
Breer wrote that Walker currently stands alone as the premier running back available and could command a significant deal on the open market. It was a bold decision to let Walker hit the open market.
“It leaves Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III alone as the top back on the market, and Walker will probably wind up getting somewhere between $12 million and $16 million per season, from a team like the Seahawks, Broncos, or Chiefs,” Breer wrote.
Breer suggests Walker could still return to the Seattle Seahawks, but both the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs are in the market for a running back and could be willing to pay more for a featured option.
Both AFC West teams have clear playoff and Super Bowl aspirations, making Walker an attractive target after his postseason breakout. Whether he stays in Seattle or heads to a contender in the AFC, the Super Bowl MVPÂ appears positioned to cash in on the open market.
Walker’s potential market value also reflects the evolving running back market. According to projections from PFSN Analytics based on Walker’s grades in PFSN’s Running Back Impact Metric, he is expected to receive a three-year contract worth roughly $24.9 million, an annual average value of $8.3 million.
Breer’s projection places Walker’s potential value even higher, suggesting the Super Bowl MVP could command somewhere between $12 million and $16 million per season, depending on the level of interest from teams searching for a featured running back.
Walker’s performance during Seattle’s championship run helped elevate that value. During the 2025 postseason, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry while producing 104.3 rushing yards and 34.7 receiving yards per game across three playoff contests. He also scored four total touchdowns during that stretch.
The regular season was productive as well. Walker rushed for 1,027 yards in 2025 and added 31 receptions, plus a 4.6 yards per carry average. His overall performance ranked 20th in PFSN’s RB Impact Metric.
That combination of postseason dominance and consistent production has positioned Walker as the top running back available. Breer’s report suggests Walker could be done in Seattle despite the storybook ending the team had this season.
