Kenneth Walker franchise tag: Seahawks make major decision on RB ahead of free agency

The Seattle Seahawks have made a major offseason decision regarding Kenneth Walker III. According to reports, Seattle will not place the franchise tag on their star running back, meaning Walker is now set to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins.

The franchise tag deadline closed on March 3 at 4 p.m. ET, and by opting not to use it, the Seahawks have allowed Walker to test the open market. Legal tampering opens March 9, with contracts becoming official once free agency begins on March 11. Walker is coming off a spectacular 2025 campaign that ended with him being named Super Bowl MVP. Now, instead of being locked into a one-year tender, he is free to negotiate with any interested team.

Why aren't the Seahawks using the franchise tag on Kenneth Walker?

The main reason appears to be financial flexibility. The projected franchise tag value for running backs in 2026 is roughly $14 million, fully guaranteed for one season. For a position many teams hesitate to invest heavily in, that is a substantial cap commitment.

Even the transition tag, which would have cost slightly less, was reportedly viewed as too expensive relative to Seattle’s broader roster priorities.

The Seahawks are believed to be focusing on extensions and other needs across the roster, making it difficult to justify allocating such a large one-year sum to the running back position.There is also the structural side. Tagging Walker would have made it harder for Seattle to negotiate a longer-term deal that wouldn't hurt their salary cap. The Seahawks may see how much he is worth on the open market and possibly match other teams' offers if the figures fit with their intentions.Importantly, this decision does not automatically mean Walker’s time in Seattle is over. The team can still negotiate and attempt to bring him back on a multi-year contract.

What does this mean for Kenneth Walker and Seattle’s future?

Walker is currently a free agent and is likely the most well-known running back on the market. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards during the regular season of 2025, and his performance in the playoffs solidified his status as a big-game player. He is sure to get a lot of attention from teams who need running backs.

For Seattle, the decision raises questions about offensive identity. With Walker potentially departing, the Seahawks would need a clear contingency plan in the backfield. While the team could pivot to the draft or cheaper veteran options, replacing a Super Bowl MVP is no small task.In the next few days, talks are likely to get much more intense. Walker could go back to Seattle or join a new team, but one thing is for sure: this choice has set the stage for one of the most keenly watched stories of the 2026 NFL offseason.