Seahawks Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker

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by Sam LanierFebruary 18, 2026, 1:04 am >

The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, will most likely not be placing the franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker ahead of free agency.

Walker, 25, will be a free agent this offseason after finishing his rookie contract with the Seahawks. Walker is a big winner from this, as it allows him to sign a long-term deal with a franchise after an incredible postseason run.

Whether he signs back with Seattle or goes elsewhere, Walker is expected to receive a nice payday compared to the $14.1 million franchise tag. Walker was only making $2.7 million during the 2025 NFL season.

According to ESPN, the Seahawks will work to sign Walker to a long-term deal as they hope to retain their franchise running back.

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Walker shared the backfield with his co-star Zach Charbonnet and only handled 43.6% of the team’s carries during the regular season. Charbonnet saw the majority of the goal line work, scoring a team-high 12 touchdowns. Walker saw an increased workload in the playoffs after Charbonnet suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the NFC divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker took advantage of the increased workload, and it paid massive dividends for him and the Seahawks.

Walker averaged 139 yards from scrimmage in the postseason, adding four touchdowns in their run to a Lombardi Trophy. Walker nearly matched his regular-season touchdown total of five in just three games. Walker became the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since 1997, when Terrell Davis won it for the Denver Broncos.

Walker spoke to the media earlier this month about his impending free agency, saying, “I’ve been here four years, so I’ve gotten to know a lot of stuff about Seattle, and a lot of the city, and I feel like they feel good about me as well, if it was my choice, though, I’d definitely stay.”

If a reunion with the Seahawks is not in the cards for Walker, expect many teams to be interested in the Super Bowl MVP, including teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, who all have a running back hitting free agency.