The Super Bowl MVP reveals how stalled contract talks and a missed franchise tag signaled his Seattle departure months before he signed a massive deal with Kansas City.
The writing appeared to be on the wall earlier than many realized for Kenneth Walker III and his future with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Super Bowl LX MVP revealed on a recent episode of the Pro Football Talk podcast that he had a strong sense well before free agency that his time in Seattle was likely coming to an end.
After Mike Florio asked Walker when he knew he was going to leave the Seahawks, the superstar running back kept it very blunt.
"If I'm being honest, probably sometime during the season," Walker said. "Things didn't work out how I was expecting them to, and that's alright. It worked out for the team. But yeah, sometime during the season. And then we get to free agency, and you're pretty much knowing weren't going to be there."
That realization didn’t necessarily stem from one dramatic moment, but rather from a gradual understanding of how the business side of the NFL was unfolding around him. As contract discussions stalled and the offseason approached, Walker began to recognize that a departure was becoming increasingly realistic.
Seattle’s decision not to use the franchise tag on Walker played a significant role in that outlook. By allowing their star running back to hit the open market, the organization signaled that a long-term commitment might not be in the plans. That move effectively opened the door for Walker to explore opportunities elsewhere, and it didn’t take long for interest to build across the league.
Walker just racked up 1,027 yards and five touchdowns in his final year in Seattle, and he also racked up just under 300 yards in the passing game. He ended off the season by helping to carry the Seahawks to their second ever Vince Lombardi Trophy, and he was named Super Bowl MVP for his efforts.
Ultimately, Walker capitalized on that opportunity by landing with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, bringing his explosive running style to another contender, this time in the AFC. The Chiefs have been one of the best teams in recent memory, but their run game has been a bit inconsistent as of late.
Walker changes that entirely.
For the Seahawks, Walker’s early awareness of his likely exit adds another layer to the story. It suggests that both sides may have been preparing for this outcome well in advance, even as the team made its push toward a championship. In hindsight, that understanding may have allowed Walker to embrace the moment fully during Seattle’s postseason run, knowing it could be his last in a Seahawks uniform.
Now, Seattle will look to reshape its backfield and Walker will begin a new chapter of his career in Kansas City.