Kenneth Walker is set to become a free agent in the coming weeks, and Bucky Brooks has the Seahawks doing something that might be seen as a mistake.
The Seattle Seahawks knew this upcoming offseason would require several tough roster decisions.
After winning the Super Bowl, it is hard to keep the band together, and for impending free agents, who are now champions, the price has only gone up.
For one player, this is especially true, and that's running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.
I wrote several weeks ago that with Walker's performances in the playoffs and the Super Bowl, he might have priced himself out of staying in Seattle.
Originally set to have a market value of around $8 million APY, now you could make the case that Walker could get James Cook-type money of $12 million APY.
And if a deal couldn't be agreed upon, then the Seahawks might franchise tag Walker in the hopes of eventually working out a long-term deal.
But we now know that isn't the case, with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting the Seahawks are "unlikely" to use the tag on Walker.
And former NFL player, now analyst, Bucky Brooks has reacted to that news.
"Given the depth of the 2026 RB class and the Seahawks’ belief in the Shanahan/Kubiak system, which has always viewed RB as disposable assets, the Walker news is not surprising," Brooks posted on X. "The ‘Hawks will likely target a RB on Day 2 to replace the SB MVP with a younger and cheaper option…. As they say, “It’s business, never personal.”
So this is an interesting turn.
Yes, Walker will be pricey, but given what he did for the offense, is it wise to let him go?
Or better yet, with Zach Charbonnet out for what we think will be a fair chunk of the 2026 season after suffering an ACL injury late in the year, the Seahawks could have a brand new backfield for San Darnold.
Walker proved his worth and then some, but given how his price has continued to skyrocket, the Seahawks might look at alternatives.
But is that the right move? It appears the franchise thinks so.
I'm not totally aligned with that thought, as the Seahawks need as much continuity as possible for Darnold. Entering Year 2 in Seattle, he'll have a new offensive coordinator and, now likely, a new starting running back behind him.
And that is far from ideal.