Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, has become an unrestricted free agent this offseason after the Seattle Seahawks chose not to place the franchise tag on him ahead of the March deadline. At 25 years old, Walker is now positioned to secure a lucrative contract on the open market, attracting attention from several potential teams. NFL insider Jonathan Jones has identified three franchises that are likely frontrunners in the pursuit of Walker, based on the running back market landscape and team salary cap situations.
Market Comparisons Shape Potential Contract Offers
Jonathan Jones noted that recent deals have set benchmarks in the running back market. He pointed out that Javonte Williams’s anticipated $8 million annual salary with the Dallas Cowboys offers a baseline for evaluating runners on the market. Jones explained the financial considerations teams face around Walker’s possible contract, saying,
“Does a team want Kenneth Walker III at $14-ish million, or do they want an [Travis] Etienne at $10 million? It’s going to be how you value that player against what the price is ultimately going to be.”
Three Likely Destinations for Kenneth Walker III
Jones highlighted the Denver Broncos as a logical candidate for Walker, especially since they’ve reportedly explored trading for New York Jets running back Breece Hall and remain in need of a strong contributor at the position. Given their status as AFC runners-up, Denver’s pursuit aligns with their aim to reinforce their roster.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also emerged as a strong possibility. With Travis Etienne’s potential exit creating a vacancy, the Jaguars might be motivated to bring in Walker to maintain backfield strength.
The third team Jones named was the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have struggled to find a reliable ball carrier since Isiah Pacheco’s recent decline and still have nearly $25 million in salary cap space. Their failed effort to acquire Hall earlier adds to the likelihood they will seek Walker to complement quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose elite talent would benefit from a versatile running back.
Why Other Teams Are Less Likely to Pursue Walker
Although rumors have linked Walker with the New York Giants, Jones expressed skepticism about their involvement at Walker’s expected price point, saying,
“I know a lot of people have been talking about the Giants. I would be surprised if the Giants got in on Kenneth Walker III at that top-tier price.”
Seattle Seahawks’ Chances of Re-Signing Walker
While Walker could theoretically return to the Seahawks, many analysts believe his cost will price him out of Seattle’s reach. The team must allocate significant salary cap funds to retain the majority of its championship roster, making it difficult to accommodate Walker’s anticipated deal unless they make substantial adjustments elsewhere.
Given these financial constraints, it appears likely that Walker may be playing his final season with the Seahawks.
