Why the Seahawks most likely won’t franchise tag Kenneth Walker

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The window to slap the franchise tag on pending NFL free agents opened on Thursday. ESPN's Adam Schefter may have caused a stir with his wording for what the Seattle Seahawks will (or won't) do regarding Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. His league sources" indicate that the Seahawks are unlikely to tag him by the March 3 deadline.

It's unlikely the Seahawks will use their franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, per league sources. The Seahawks have multiple free agents they want to retain and sign. They also will try to extend WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There are enough Super-Bowl tax... https://t.co/9xbtIgLNn7pic.twitter.com/XdfkNk16kf

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2026

The stuff about extending other free agents and extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just fluff. If history is a guide, it doesn't matter how many other FAs or impending extensions the Seahawks have when it comes to affecting their franchise tag usage.

The Seahawks rarely use the franchise tag

John Schneider has been the Seahawks general manager for 16 seasons. The only tagged players he's ever had are kicker Olindo Mare (2010) and Frank Clark (2019). They famously traded Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up an extra first-rounder in the process and using it on L.J. Collier. Mare played on his franchise tag and never signed an extension, leaving in free agency the following offseason.

It makes little financial sense for 2026

It's estimated that tagging Walker would cost Seattle $14.5 million, which would be more than Kyren Williams or Christian McCaffrey is set to make in 2026. This would be a one-year deal that comes off the salary cap, so if he only plays on the franchise tag then all $14.5 million would be guaranteed and come off of Seattle's salary cap.

Sure, Walker could get tagged and sign an extension anyway, but it's not something the Seahawks have historically done. Walker playing on the tag would most likely mean he's not a Seahawk in 2017, because...

Running backs don't get tagged and extended often

Only three running backs since 2010 have been franchise tagged and then received a new contract: Derrick Henry when he was with the Tennessee Titans in 2020, Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears in 2012, and Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. All other backs over the last 12 offseasons have played on the tag and immediately left or sat out the whole season like Le'Veon Bell did when he was tagged a second time.

If Seattle is to keep Walker, John Schneider will either let K9 test the market and then come back with the hometown offer or a deal will get done before he even enters free agency. But don't expect any franchise tag movement for K9 or anyone else on the Seahawks.