Feb 17, 2026, 06:21 AM ET<\/p>\n
The Seattle Seahawks<\/a> are unlikely to use their franchise tag on running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III<\/a>, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The Seahawks have multiple free agents that they want to retain and sign, and the team would also try to extend the contract of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba<\/a>.<\/p>\n Starting Tuesday, NFL teams can begin applying franchise or transition tags through March 3. However, there are enough Super Bowl tax costs for the Seahawks that now make using a franchise tag this offseason unlikely, sources told ESPN.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n Walker rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries and caught two passes for 26 yards in the 29-13 victory<\/a> over the New England Patriots<\/a> in Super Bowl LX, becoming the first running back to be named MVP<\/a> since the Denver Broncos<\/a>‘ Terrell Davis won the award in Super Bowl XXXII following the 1997 season.<\/p>\n Walker is slated to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in March after playing the final year of his rookie contract with a salary cap number of just under $2.7 million. The projected cost of the franchise tag for running backs would be $14.5 million, while the transition tag would come at a cost of $11.7 million.<\/p>\n The Seahawks have only used the franchise tag twice in 16 seasons under general manager John Schneider.<\/p>\n