NFL Rumors: Giants face competition as $6.5B Steelers explore move for Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

The future of Kenneth Walker III has quickly become one of the most discussed stories of the 2026 NFL offseason. The star-RB helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl in February, yet he is now set to test free agency after the team chose not to extend his contract.Interest is already building across the league. The New York Giants are closely monitoring the contract situation of Kenneth Walker. Another contender has now joined the race. The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises, have begun internal discussions about pursuing the Seahawks running back.

Steelers enter the Kenneth Walker race as Giants monitor free agency market

Kenneth Walker's contract talks gained traction on March 6 when Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Fillipponi revealed new details about the Steelers’ interest.

Posting on X, Fillipponi reported that the Steelers have already discussed the possibility of adding Walker once the legal tampering period opens on March 9.“The Steelers have had internal discussions about Kenneth Walker and will monitor his situation when the legal tampering window opens Monday,” Fillipponi wrote on X.

The timing makes sense for Pittsburgh. RB Kenneth Gainwell, who spent the 2025 season with the Steelers, will hit free agency this offseason.

That leaves uncertainty in the backfield and opens the door for a bigger playmaker. Walker fits that profile.The Steelers enter the 2026 season after winning the AFC North but crashing out of the playoffs with a 30-6 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. The franchise also starts a new chapter under HC Mike McCarthy, who will lead the team in his first year on the sideline.Walker, meanwhile, boosted his value in the biggest game of the year.

The Seahawks running back delivered a dominant performance in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots on Feb. 9, 2026. He rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries and added two catches for 26 yards as Seattle secured a 29-13 victory. Walker earned Super Bowl MVP honors for the performance.Seattle originally selected Walker in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He quickly became a centerpiece of the Seahawks offense. Yet the team appears ready to move forward without extending Kenneth Walker's contract. That decision has now opened the door for rivals like the Giants and Steelers. With free agency approaching and Walker coming off a championship run, the race for one of the league’s most explosive running backs could heat up quickly in the coming days.