With less than two weeks until 2026 NFL free agency, there’s considerable buzz around Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker. ESPN’s Ben Solak only expects that to continue, and likely to increase.
On Saturday, Solak included Walker among five players who will receive more than initially expected in 2026 free agency. Solak projected there to be frenzy for the Super Bowl MVP’s services once free agency begins.
“I think everybody saw Super Bowl MVP, great postseason run and said, ‘Oh he will go from like $10 million per year to $12 million per year,’ Solak argued. “But if Breece Hall gets tagged, which I think he will, then Walker is the best free agent running back available in terms of juice and explosive play ability and this draft class really does not have a lot of fans.
“So, I think there’s gonna be a bidding war for Walker, and I would not be surprised if he is like a top-5 paid running back by the time it’s all said and done.”
There are a few different ways to measure the highest-paid NFL players. From an average annual salary perspective, Walker will have to make $12.25 million per season to have a top-5 running back salary.
In terms of total contract value, Christian McCaffrey possesses the fifth-highest contract among all running backs at $38 million.
Walker rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns during 17 regular season games last season. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Then in three postseason contests, Walker registered 313 rushing yards and four scores. In the Super Bowl, he gained 135 rushing yards on 27 carries.
Walker became the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis in January 1998.
Projecting Kenneth Walker’s 2026 Free Agency Value
Despite the strong end to the 2025 campaign, Spotrac has continued to project a modest free agency market for Walker. Spotrac estimated Walker’s free agency value to be a little more than $36 million on a 4-year deal.
Based on the contracts already on record for 2026, a 4-year, $36 million deal would rank Walker sixth in total contract value and tied for 12th in average annual salary for running backs.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, though, predicted Walker to receive a lot more money in free agency. Popper’s final contract projection for the Seahawks running back was four years, $52 million.
That would put Walker in the top five in both total value and average annual salary at $13 million per year.
Popper ranked Walker the No. 8 overall free agent for 2026. Hall was the only running back ahead of Walker on Popper’s list.
If the Jets tag Hall, though, as Solak projected, then Walker will be the top running back on the market.
Walker’s Resume With the Seahawks
Walker just finished his fourth season with the Seahawks after the team drafted him at No. 41 overall in the second round of 2022.
He rushed for 1,050 yards as a rookie with nine touchdowns. Walker wasn’t able to repeat that success in 2023 or 2024, though, and then began sharing the backfield with Zach Charbonnet.
The two backs split opportunities again in 2025. That’s why a lot of pundits see Walker as potentially expendable in Seattle.
But Walker had a stronger season than Charbonnet during 2025, especially in the playoffs. Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in January, and has an uncertainty return date for 2026.
With that in mind, Walker could play a pivotal role for the Seahawks if he returns, especially early in 2026. The team has the cap space to make it happen as well.
But if Walker’s market explodes as Solak said it could, it will be interesting to see if the Seahawks are willing to participate in the bidding war to bring back their Super Bowl MVP.
Seahawks Predicted to Need ‘Bidding War’ Win to Retain Super Bowl MVP