The Seattle Seahawks are not expected to apply their franchise tag to star running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, league insiders revealed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
The Seahawks possess several unrestricted players they aim to keep and secure, and the organization is also striving to extend the agreement of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Commencing on Tuesday, NFL teams are permitted to start applying franchise or transition tags up to March 3. Nevertheless, significant Super Bowl-related fiscal burdens for the Seahawks now make the utilization of a franchise tag this offseason improbable, sources informed ESPN.
Walker gained 135 yards from 27 attempts and snagged two receptions for 26 yards during the 29-13 triumph against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, thus becoming the initial rusher to earn the MVP title since the Denver Broncos’ Terrell Davis secured the honor in Super Bowl XXXII after the 1997 campaign.
He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in March, having completed the concluding year of his initial agreement with a compensation cap figure slightly below $2.7 million. The estimated expense of the franchise tag for running backs is set at $14.5 million, whereas the transitional designation would entail an expense of $11.7 million.
The Seahawks have utilized the franchise tag merely twice across 16 campaigns under general manager John Schneider.
Walker accumulated 1,027 yards from 221 carries and five touchdowns as part of a backfield tandem alongside Zach Charbonnet this season. Subsequent to Charbonnet enduring a torn ACL during the divisional playoff stage, Walker assumed the primary rushing role and amassed 417 all-purpose yards, surpassing all other athletes in the postseason.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson provided input for this dispatch.