Seahawks have reportedly made franchise tag call on Kenneth Walker III

Published: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:12 pm

Seahawks Likely to Let Star Running Back Kenneth Walker III Test Free Agency

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly unlikely to use the franchise tag on running back Kenneth Walker III, according to reports from ESPN. The team has until March 3rd to make a decision on retaining players for the 2026 season via the franchise tag.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Seahawks are prioritizing retaining other free agents and potentially extending wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The team's financial constraints, likely stemming from the costs associated with winning the Super Bowl, are also a factor.

Walker, who was named the Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player, led the Seahawks in rushing during the 2025 regular season with 221 carries for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. He also had a strong performance in the Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, rushing for 135 yards.

Prior to the news of the franchise tag, ESPN's Brady Henderson reported that Seattle would only retain Walker if they could agree to a multiyear deal before the new league year begins on March 11. Seahawks general manager John Schneider has only used the franchise tag twice in his 16 seasons with the team.

The situation is further complicated by the injury to fellow running back Zach Charbonnet, who suffered a torn ACL in January. This injury could potentially sideline him for a portion of the 2026 season.

Some analysts suggest that the Seahawks could still re-sign Walker if he accepts a contract in the range of $12 million to $14 million per season. However, the running back market has remained relatively stagnant compared to the wide receiver market, potentially impacting Walker's value.

BNN's Perspective: The Seahawks' decision to potentially let Walker test free agency is understandable given the financial realities of the NFL. While losing a player of Walker's caliber would be a blow, the team must balance its roster needs and salary cap constraints. The injury to Charbonnet adds another layer of complexity to the situation, making the team's strategy even more crucial.

Keywords: Seattle Seahawks, Kenneth Walker III, franchise tag, NFL, free agency, running back, Super Bowl, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Zach Charbonnet, John Schneider, contract, salary cap

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