The Seattle Seahawks are looking at an offseason that is much less happy than last offseason, and that includes the latest rumors about Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker likely leaving in free agency. His absence would leave a gaping hole on the offense.
According to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Walker "appears increasingly likely (to be) headed somewhere else" in free agency." One potential fit is the Kansas City Chiefs, reports Pelissero, a team trying to rebuild its increasingly diminishing offense.
KC might be willing to pay the running back more than Seattle, as part of the issue for general manager John Schneider is that his team has many players entering free agency for the first time. Whether Walker returns to Seattle or not might depend on how much Schneider values the position.
Recent report says Kenneth Walker leaving the Seattle Seahawks in free agency is "likely"
But Walker's leaving wouldn't be the only issue with the position group for the Seahawks at the beginning of 2026. RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and that kind of injury so late in the season could mean that the running back isn't available at the beginning of next year.
His being hurt and Walker walking as a free agent would leave Seattle with...? Well, that is a question that would have to be answered. Backups George Holani and Kenny McIntosh haven't proven they should get a lot of reps in the NFL yet. Holani is more the kind of runner that Charbonnet is, and McIntosh is more like Walker, but each has their own injury concerns.
Kenneth Walker is entering free agency at the best possible time that he could, however. For the first time in his four-year career, he played a full season in 2025. He got better late in the season, especially after he had to take most of the running back reps after Charbonnet was hurt.
He is more explosive than most, if not all, of the running backs who might be available to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 draft or in free agency, and he also was more of a straightforward runner than he was earlier in his career, when he often hesitated quite a bit.
Signing him might cost the team too much money, and other positions, such as edge rusher and cornerback, might be more important, but Walker's singular importance to the Seahawks carries a high value. Just maybe not enough for John Schneider to aggressively pursue the running back in free agency.
Update: Walker has reportedly agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.