Seahawks Suddenly Face Salary Cap Crisis Before Free Agency – Defensive Star Could Be Placed on the Trade Market to Save Cap Space

Seattle, Washington The Seattle Seahawks are discovering the hidden cost of winning a Super Bowl. Just months after reaching the peak of the NFL world, the franchise has already watched several key pieces walk out the door. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is gone, multiple defensive standouts such as Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant have moved on — and perhaps most surprisingly, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is no longer in Seattle. Walker has officially signed a three-year, $43 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, a contract that immediately makes him one of the highest-paid running backs in the league. But according to multiple reports, money was not the only factor behind the move. The real issue was something far more personal: his role in the Seahawks offense. Despite delivering one of the most memorable postseason performances in franchise history, Walker spent much of the 2025 season sharing the backfield with Zach Charbonnet. While the pairing proved effective for Seattle, it quietly created frustration for the star running back. Walker appeared in all 17 regular-season games and produced a strong campaign, rushing 221 times for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns — his first 1,000-yard season since his rookie year in 2022. However, Seattle continued to run a two-back system, limiting his opportunities to fully take control of the offense. Charbonnet enjoyed a breakout year of his own, recording 184 carries for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also becoming the Seahawks’ primary third-down and red-zone back. The workload split was nearly identical. Walker played 47% of the offensive snaps, while Charbonnet played 49%. For the Seahawks coaching staff, the strategy was simple: preserve Walker’s health and keep the offense balanced. But privately, the arrangement reportedly did not sit well with the Super Bowl MVP. Walker believed he had earned the chance to prove he could be a true feature back in an NFL offense. Kansas City offered exactly that. Beyond the massive contract, the Chiefs made it clear that Walker would be brought in as the lead running back, something he never fully experienced during his time in Seattle. During his introductory press conference in Kansas City, Walker admitted that feeling valued played a major role in his decision. "It means a lot," Walker said. "You feel appreciated and wanted — that’s what everybody wants. I’m just excited to be here, get to know the guys, and get to work." Walker leaves Seattle after delivering a postseason run that will forever be remembered in franchise history. Across three playoff games, he carried the ball 65 times for 313 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Seahawks to their second Super Bowl title and earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the process. Now, the 25-year-old running back begins a new chapter in Kansas City — determined to prove that he can do more than share the spotlight. He wants to be the main star in the backfield. And the Chiefs are giving him that chance.