Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is poised for free agency after the Seahawks' franchise tag decision

For conscionable the 4th clip successful the past 3 decades, the reigning Super Bowl MVP volition apt beryllium disposable connected the unfastened market. 

The Seattle Seahawks declined to workout the franchise tag for moving backmost Kenneth Walker III earlier Thursday’s deadline, according to aggregate reports.

NFL teams had until precocious Tuesday day to use the franchise tag to eligible players whose contracts expire erstwhile the caller league twelvemonth starts adjacent week. The Seahawks and Walker could inactive enactment retired a semipermanent woody earlier the escaped bureau play officially opens. If not, Walker would research the unfastened market.

Larry Brown, Dexter Jackson and Desmond Howard are the lone different players to scope escaped bureau successful the weeks instantly aft being named Super Bowl MVP.

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Seattle Seahawks moving backmost Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the 4th fourth of the Super Bowl astatine Levi's Stadium Feb. 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

Seahawks wide manager John Schneider reacted to a study that different subordinate of Seattle’s title discourtesy intends to deed the unfastened market. 

Acquired from the Saints successful November, Rashid Shaheed had 188 receiving yards successful 9 regular-season games with Seattle.

Schneider took contented with the timing of the news. 

"I saw the study yesterday, and I was like, ‘He and his representatives, I deliberation they’ve been investigating escaped bureau for implicit a week now.’ I’m not definite wherefore that was quality yesterday," according to The Athletic.

Seattle Seahawks moving backmost Kenneth Walker III (9) scores a touchdown during the 4th fourth against the San Francisco 49ers successful a NFC divisional playoff crippled astatine Lumen Field Jan. 17, 2026, successful Seattle.   (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

In November, Shaheed expressed optimism astir his aboriginal with the Seahawks. 

"I’m present to stay," helium said soon aft being traded to Seattle. "So, I’m excited to spot if we tin fig thing retired aft the play ends. But, yeah, I’m excited."

While the Seahawks' defence contained the Patriots successful past month’s Super Bowl, Walker powered Seattle’s discourtesy astatine Levi’s Stadium. He rushed for 135 yards and added 26 receiving yards, becoming the archetypal moving backmost successful 28 years to gain the coveted Super Bowl MVP trophy. 

Seattle Seahawks backmost Sam Darnold, left, and moving backmost Kenneth Walker III observe aft defeating the New England Patriots successful the Super Bowl astatine Levi’s Stadium successful Santa Clara, Calif., Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Boye Mafe, Josh Jobe, Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen are among the notable Seahawks players who fig to participate escaped bureau adjacent week.

If Walker becomes disposable March 11, helium is expected to gully involvement from respective NFL teams.

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Should Walker motion elsewhere, the Seahawks could crook to escaped bureau for a replacement. Running backmost Zach Charbonnet, who enters his 4th NFL play successful 2026, remains nether declaration adjacent year.

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