It\u2019s time to cash in. His rookie contract<\/a> paid out less than eight and a half million dollars over four seasons. He\u2019s got to get his. I\u2019m sure endorsement money is coming his way after his stellar 2025 season, but this is his one real chance to secure his future. With that understanding in mind, what can we expect Walker to get on his new deal?<\/p>\n Considerations On The Contract<\/p>\n First, let\u2019s understand that Ken is probably going to get \u2018overpaid\u2019, in the sense that he\u2019s going to get more than his production and play would indicate is appropriate. He\u2019s coming off three great postseason performances, is the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP in nearly thirty years, and there\u2019s extra incentive for the Seahawks to keep him due to the Charbonnet injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n The only mitigating factor here is that the free agency class of running backs<\/a> is especially strong, with a lot of starting-caliber players available. This could create a buyer\u2019s market, and drive down the prices across the board. But I suspect this will not have much of an effect on Walker, who may be the best of the available backs.<\/p>\n Also, the Seahawks have plenty of money<\/a>, and that fact is public knowledge. So, even though Ken Walker has never made a Pro Bowl, All-Pro team, had a double-digit touchdown season, or gotten votes for Offensive Player of the Year, he\u2019s getting paid like someone who has. And that\u2019s something I can live with, as the primary thing holding him back is the workload he can handle.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs the ball as New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90). | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Projecting A Fair Number<\/p>\n Spotrac currently has a Walker contract at four years and just over $36 million<\/a>. At this point, that seems like a fantasy, although I imagine that would have been a fair estimate if not for Ken\u2019s monster postseason performance. I do think that four years is the right number, but I don\u2019t think nine million a year is going to cut it.<\/p>\n Rhamondre Stevenson<\/a> signed a roughly-identical deal in 2024, coming off a season where he missed five games and didn\u2019t even top 900 yards on a terrible team with a terrible offense. Stevenson did have an excellent 2022, with nearly 1,500 yards, 70 catches, and 5.2 yards per touch, but also had a fumble problem that Walker doesn\u2019t have. Gotta go higher.<\/p>\n Kyren Williams<\/a> got his three years and $33 million last offseason from the Rams after consecutive monster seasons, totalling over 2,800 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also proved he could be a bellcow, getting 350 touches in 2024. Throw in a Pro Bowl and All-Pro Second Team appearance in 2023 and OPOTY votes in 2024, I\u2019d normally draw the line here.<\/p>\n But I\u2019m not convinced that\u2019s going to fly here. Kyren didn\u2019t have anything close to the postseason run that K9 just had in either of his breakout seasons, and also had a bit of a fumbling issue. Also, Williams (and this goes for Stevenson as well) was extended with a year left on his rookie deal, and probably compromised in negotiations because of it.<\/p>\n James Cook<\/a> might be the correct comparison at this point. Extended by Buffalo last year to a four year, $46 million contract, Cook picked up back-to-back Pro Bowls before getting paid. Nearly 1,600 scrimmage yards in 2023, and 18 touchdowns in 2024, with extremely high efficiency. He also had a big postseason run in 2024. I think we\u2019re about there.<\/p>\n Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) looks to the end zone during the second quarter. | Doug Engle\/Florida Times-Union \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Two years ago, Josh Jacobs<\/a> got four years and $48 million after a disappointing 2023 with the Las Vegas Raiders where he missed four games and averaged just over four yards a touch. However, fueling that contract was what he did in 2022, which included over 2,000 yards, nearly 400 touches, and an All-Pro first team selection. Can\u2019t see Walker at that level.<\/p>\n The Contract<\/p>\n Understanding that the salary cap goes up every year<\/a>, but that running back contracts don\u2019t climb very rapidly unless you\u2019re the absolute cream of the crop, let\u2019s find a projection. Give me the four years and $46 million, identical to the James Cook extension. Obviously, he hasn\u2019t been as good as Cook, but the circumstances dictate the same deal in my estimation.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll admit it\u2019s not my favorite, given that Walker has already proven that he can\u2019t hold up under a full workload, but it\u2019s not even close to a crippling deal. There will probably be a reasonable out after two years and a painless one after three. Ken should have a few strong years left, as he hasn\u2019t been overloaded with touches so far in his career.<\/p>\n A smart team should be able to get that much value out of him. Pace him, use a secondary running back, and make sure he has something left for the end of the season. It\u2019s a fair deal, and one that I think will keep this team dangerous on offense while allowing Walker to cash in on his success.<\/p>\n Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) reaches for a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0). | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n RELATED:\u00a0Buy the new Seahawks championship commemorative Sports Illustrated cover<\/a><\/p>\n More Seahawks on SI stories<\/p>\n What Maxx Crosby told Tom Brady is great news for the Seahawks<\/a><\/p>\n Jaxon Smith-Njigba responds to tasteless joke by Druski after SB<\/a><\/p>\n 7 shocking stats from the Seahawks\u2019 Super Bowl win over Patriots<\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01khaf4k21ncpj6pbpbp.jpg\" "\\"A")
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<\/p>\n![\"Dive](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01khaf7h8z6xpw4be76g.jpg\" "\\"Dive")
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