Seahawks star RB Kenneth Walker gets $11 million free agent contract projection

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Seahawks star RB Kenneth Walker gets $11 million free agent contract projection originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Seahawks won a massive game in Week 18 of the NFL season, securing their first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on top of winning the NFC West.

One of the main reasons they were able to win was thanks to Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet in the running game. While Charbonnet has taken over a decent share of the backfield, Walker has still turned in one of his best seasons in the NFL.

After such a strong season despite a split backfield, Walker's contract situation this offseason in free agency will be a very interesting one to watch, especially with Austin Gayle of The Ringer's projection for Walker.

Kenneth Walker receives an interesting $11 million contract projection

Gayle projects Walker will get a solid $11 million per-year deal, which would be a nice reward for the 2025 season he's had up to the playoffs.

"He's still in his athletic prime and coming off a career year," Gayle writes, "and could be looking at a new deal worth $8 million to $11 million per year."

If Walker does land a deal in that range, it might not be the lofty contract that some of the best running backs land, but it could still be a quality deal over the next few seasons for a running back with plenty of potential.

The 25-year-old running back has played in all 17 games this season for the first time in his NFL career. Walker split the backfield with Charbonnet, but still put up a strong season.

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He ran the ball 221 times for 1,027 yards, only 23 fewer than his previous career high, and on seven fewer touches. He scored five rushing touchdowns, as Charbonnet got plenty of goal-line work this season.

Walker also made his mark as a receiver, hauling in 31 of 36 targets for 282 yards in 2025. His 1,309 yards from scrimmage is the most he's had in a season in his career, and add on his 5.2 yards per touch, and 2025 was a career year despite not besting his career-highs in rushing or receiving yards.

He might not land the top running back money he could've if he played the full season without Charbonnet, but his projected deal is still netting him a contract of between $8 and $11 million, which would be a solid contract for a running back in today's market.