Kenneth Walker's future with Seahawks gets updated outlook from ESPN ahead of Super Bowl

Mike Moraitis

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Kenneth Walker's future with Seahawks gets updated outlook from ESPN ahead of Super Bowl image

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

One of the most notable pending free agents for the Seattle Seahawks to make a decision on is running back Kenneth Walker.

A former second-round pick, Walker has had an up-and-down career in Seattle. He tallied over 1,000 rushing yards in his rookie campaign, but followed that up with lackluster seasons in 2023 and 2024, and the latter year was marred by injury and availability has been a major concern throughout his career.

In 2025, Walker finally managed to play in all 17 games, and despite splitting work with Zach Charbonnet and averaging just 13 carries per contest, he still posted 1,027 yards while also tying his career-best mark for yards per carry (4.6).

Walker added to his strong season by literally carrying the Seahawks to a divisional round victory over the San Francisco 49ers by rushing for 116 yards and three touchdowns while also adding three catches for 29 yards.

As the season has progressed, Walker's chances of staying in Seattle beyond 2025 have seemingly gotten better after he has managed to shine and stay healthy, and ESPN's Brady Henderson agrees.

Henderson thinks Walker's contract-year surge and the injury to Charbonnet, who tore his ACL and might not be ready for the start of the 2025 season, enhances the odds that the former second-round pick will be re-signed.

Here's what Henderson said:

Heading into 2025, the chances of the Seahawks re-signing Walker after his contract year did not look strong thanks largely to concerns over his availability. He was also slated to share duties with Zach Charbonnet. But circumstances have changed. Walker has played in all 19 games and topped 1,000 rushing yards during the regular season despite averaging only 13 carries. He has excelled as the clear-cut RB1 since Charbonnet tore an ACL in the divisional round, which probably will sideline him well past the start of the 2026 season. It's far from a sure thing, but Seattle re-signing Walker is easier to envision now than it was six months ago.

Walker has made it quite clear he wants to return to Seattle, but that's far from a given, even with his impressive fourth season.

Teams have been increasingly reluctant to pay any semblance of significant money to running backs and Walker is going to be fairly expensive.

According to Spotrac, Walker is projected to receive a four-year, $33.5 million contract. While a nice chunk of change, it isn't an outlandish amount, as the Seahawks back would rank 15th at the position in terms of annual average.

The Seahawks are well-positioned to spend that kind of money on Walker, with the Seahawks projected to have $66.8 million in cap space this offseason.

Going into the season, we thought Walker had a less than 50/50 chance to return in 2026, but after witnessing what he did this season, and with the Seahawks' positive financial situation, we could see Seattle retaining the Michigan State product.

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