The Seattle Seahawks have some very important monetary decisions to make in the coming offseason. Thankfully, Seattle won't have to make those for at least two games, and maybe at least four. A Super Bowl run would certainly be a great thing.
But some players on the 2025 roster will not be back in 2026. Attrition happens with every team, and Seattle has several players whose rookie deals are up after 2025. That includes running back Kenneth Walker, but not RB2 Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet is signed through 2026.
The Kansas City Chiefs are a team that won't be making the postseason this season, but the team still has talent. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he needs better offensive weapons. One of those in 2026 could be Kenneth Walker.
One NFL analyst projects Seattle Seahawks' Kenneth Walker to sign with Kansas City Chiefs
That is according to Bleacher Report's Alex Kay, who recently projected Walker being signed by KC in free agency to a deal worth $29 million over three seasons. At less than $10 million per season, the Seahawks could afford that, too, but Seattle might have Walker's replacement already on the roster in the person of Charbonnet.
Would Seattle want to pay two running backs nearly $10 million each a season? That could be the real question after the 2026 season if Walker re-signs with the Seahawks. A good general manager (and Seattle general manager John Schneider is a great GM) thinks multiple seasons ahead in terms of contracts, as well as what needs to be addressed currently.
Re-signing Walker could mean letting Charbonnet walk away after 2026, and Charbonnet might be ticking up this season at the perfect time. So much so that he could make Walker expendable in free agency.
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Playoff teams need to be able to run the ball quite efficiently, and the more straightforward, bullish runner that Charbonnet is compared to Walker might work better in the biggest games. Seahawks fans will soon find that out, but 12s might have gotten a glimpse of the answer in Week 17.
Against the Carolina Panthers in cold and drizzly Charlotte, Charbonnet ran the ball 18 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He carried defenders with him on short gains, and he had two explosive runs. With his two rushing TDs, he now has 11 on the season, the first Seahawks back to have double-digit rushing touchdowns since Marshawn Lynch in 2014.
Over the last two seasons, Charbonnet has combined for 19 rushing touchdowns. That's significant and potentially important for Kenneth Walker's free agency prospects for the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, Charbonnet's potential future production might clear a path for the Kansas City Chiefs to sign Walker.