If RB Walker leaves, here's where Seattle Seahawks can pivot

Just a few months ago, it seemed very unlikely the Seattle Seahawks would re-sign running back Kenneth Walker III this offseason, but a whole lot has changed since then.

Should the Seattle Seahawks re-sign Walker? Barnwell’s take

Walker went on a late-season surge where he flashed many of the skills that made him look like a home-run pick during his rookie season in 2022. Over the final six games of the season including the playoffs, he piled up 771 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns, including three games with more than 100 yards rushing. It culminated with him totaling 161 yards on 29 touches while winning Super Bowl MVP.

That late surge from Walker coincided with a serious injury to backfield mate Zach Charbonnet, who tore his ACL in the Seattle’s first playoff game. With the injury occurring in early January, Charbonnet is expected to miss part of next season, making Walker’s value even higher to the Seahawks.

But Walker’s play down the stretch and Super Bowl MVP performance certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the league. Even if the Seahawks want re-sign him, there figures to be other suitors potentially ready to give the Michigan State product a big pay day. Additionally, it was reported Tuesday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Seattle isn’t likely to use the franchise tag on Walker.

If Seattle is ultimately unable to bring Walker back this offseason, where does it pivot to? Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus shared his answer to that question Tuesday during Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy.

Bumpus first looked at the upcoming free agent class, which will include running backs Breece Hall, Rico Dowdle, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne and Najee Harris.

“I’m thinking that you look at Etienne and see if you can get something done there,” Bumpus said.

Etienne was a first-round pick in 2021, but missed his entire rookie season with a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during a preseason game. Since the injury, he has missed just two games.

The Clemson product has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in three seasons, including rushing for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. He’s also been a receiving threat out of the backfield, totaling 1,338 yards and seven TDs on 168 receptions in his career. His six receiving TDs this past season were the most among NFL running backs.

According to Spotrac, the 26-year-old Etienne’s market value calls for a two-year, $13.6 million deal ($6.8 million average value). Spotrac lists the 25-year-old Walker’s value as a four-year, $36 million deal ($9 million average value).

“ETIENNE TO THE ETIENNEZONE” – Ian Eagle is a legend pic.twitter.com/sFjvigkhZR

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 7, 2025

Bumpus also pointed to the upcoming draft class as an avenue to finding a potential replacement for Walker.

“I really like this draft class when it comes to running backs,” Bumpus said. “Honestly, every year the running backs probably have a solid draft class.”

Top running back prospect Jerimiyah Love is expected to be off the board before the Seahawks make their first pick at No. 32 overall. But Bumpus thinks a less-heralded player like Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne could be a good pick later in the draft.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Claiborne was second-team All-ACC selection this past season and a third-team pick in 2024. He’s rushed for 1,956 yards and 21 TDs while adding 394 yards and two TDs on 51 receptions in 24 games over the past two seasons.

Claiborne also has some experience in the return game. He averaged 26.3 yards and had two TDs on 22 kick returns during his college career.

“He can do everything and catch the football out of the backfield,” Bumpus said. “He’s a fast, downhill guy who can get outside as well.”

Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

If RB Walker leaves, here’s where Seattle Seahawks can pivot

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