The Seattle Seahawks could have a decision to make in their backfield this offseason after letting Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III test free agency. While the running back remains in his prime, Seattle may explore alternatives if it chooses not to commit long-term money to the position.
Seahawks Could Face Major Decision on Kenneth Walker III
Walker turned in a solid season in 2025, appearing in all 17 games for the first time in his NFL career. The Seahawks running back breached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second time and averaged a career-best 4.6 yards per carry, while catching 31 passes for 282 yards.
Walker ranked among the top 15 running backs in yards per carry, catch percentage, and elusive rate. His ability to move the chains also helped create scoring opportunities for Zach Charbonnet, who finished the season with 12 rushing touchdowns.
With Walker projected to earn roughly $8.3 million annually on his next deal, per PFSN analyst Jacob Infante, the Seahawks could weigh whether investing heavily in the position makes sense, especially with Charbonnet already on the roster.
Travis Etienne Jr. Could Be Seattle’s Next Starting RB
If Seattle decides not to extend Walker’s contract, PFSN’s Infante predicted that Seattle could turn to Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., who is projected to hit free agency after another productive season.
Etienne entered the 2025 season with uncertainty after a disappointing 2024 campaign. He had career-low numbers with 558 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, and 3.7 yards per carry. The Jaguars also had a rising young back in Tank Bigsby and drafted Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round.
“After a hot start from Etienne this year, he quickly took back over as Jacksonville’s bona fide back, and Bigsby got traded to the Eagles. Etienne ran for 1,107 yards and a career-high 7 rushing touchdowns, while also catching 6 touchdown passes. His efficiency runs hot and cold, but with three 1,000-yard seasons, he’ll have a strong market,” Infante wrote.
Etienne has scored 25 rushing touchdowns and seven receiving touchdowns, a total of 32 scores across his four seasons with Jacksonville. He also ranked 26th in the PFSN NFL RB Impact ratings during the 2025 season with a score of 63.5.
The 27-year-old is projected to command a three-year contract worth around $7.5 million annually, slightly below Walker’s expected market value. Apart from the Seahawks and Jaguars, the Tennessee Titans are also considered a potential landing spot for him.
Running backs aren’t known to command massive paydays in the NFL, but Etienne is well-positioned to land a respectable deal this offseason. The Jaguars star could hit the open market when free agency begins on March 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.
With the 2026 NFL Draft widely viewed as a weaker class at the position, several potentially RB-needy teams, including Seattle, could prefer the reliable production that Etienne offered in four seasons in Jacksonville. If he leaves the Jaguars, the 2026 season would be the first time in his career that he suits up for another franchise, potentially opening the door for a new chapter in Seattle’s backfield.
