The likelihood of Kenneth Walker remaining a Seahawk appears slim, but there could be alternatives for Seattle.
It was a good idea ... while it lasted.
We know the future of Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker is murky right now, despite both he and the Seattle Seahawks stating their desire to remain together.
But as NFL free agency edges closer and reports that Seattle won't franchise-tag Walker, it feels like it will only end one way.
And that is Walker on another team in 2026.
The market value for Kenneth had gone upward, especially after his playoff performances, which culminated in his Super Bowl MVP trophy, and as such, might have priced himself out of staying a Seahawk.
Set to make at least $10 million APY, if not more, that might be a little too rich for the Seahawks, and the general manager, John Schneider, might look towards free agency and a possible trade to bring in a new face.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery wants out (although David himself shut that down with a social media post), and has named Montgomery as a potential Walker replacement in Seattle.
“Lions' David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28,” Fowler wrote. “That has value. Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return. Seattle makes sense here if it can't re-sign Kenneth Walker III.”
That sounded good in theory, but Seattle only has four draft picks at its disposal.
A pick in each of the first three rounds, and then a sixth-round selection, so there might have to be some wheeling and dealing from Schneider to get a deal done.
With no guaranteed money left on his current deal, and a $5.4 million base salary in 2026 and $7.4 million in 2027, per Over The Cap, that is much more workable than Walker's potential extension.
But one problem arises as of Monday morning: Montgomery just got traded from Detroit to the Houston Texans. Montgomery is moving to the Texans for a fourth-round draft pick, a seventh-round draft pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, according to multiple reports.
Next idea? Maybe another veteran option to have behind Sam Darnold. But ...
Yes, keeping Walker would be ideal.