Running back Kenneth Walker III has reportedly agreed to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Walker was among the best running backs available in this free agency class, now finding a new home with two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback.
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Walker played a key role in the Seahawks’ run to the Super Bowl, finishing the playoffs with 417 yards and four touchdowns. During the regular season, Walker and Zach Charbonnet went their separate ways, but Walker took on more responsibility after Charbonnet injured his knee in the divisional victory over the 49ers.
Walker, 25, saved his best for last, finishing with 161 yards in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory over the Patriots. He became the first running back to win the Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis in 1998. During the regular season, Walker totaled 1,027 yards and five touchdowns.
Although Walker played in all 17 games for the first time in his career, the Seahawks opted not to franchise him. The franchise amount for running backs was $14.186 million, according to Spotrac. The transition tag would have lowered the price to $11.7 million, allowing the Seahawks to match any offer Walker received on the open market. Last year, Walker had a base salary of $1.8 million in the final year of his rookie contract.
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The Seahawks are expected to use their savings to re-sign other free agents, like 2025 Offensive Player of the Year Jaxson Smith-Njigba, now eligible for an extension heading into his fourth season. The Seahawks also still have Charbonnet under contract for another season. Last season, Charbonnet totaled 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season.
