Forgotten rb

[GemCity]

I absolutely don’t want to lose K9. I love the idea of having 2-3 very serviceable backs.

With that said, K-Mac won’t impress you with combine numbers. He’s not a big, hulking Derrick Henry type guy.

He simply gets yards…and believe this or not, he averages more YPC than K9 & CharBone. THATS…crazy

*Edit - must add this…a smart agent realizes that by not having your client take 95% of the carries, you’re extending their career. Detroit has a similar thing going on. Unfortunately, they try to get max every time…fear of injury, longevity, etc.

 

[Appyhawk]

Noone seems to think Charbs will be back? He and Walker together was the best running 1/2 in the league. He'll be baaaack!

 

[IndyHawk]

I was one of the KW downers from last season to the middle of this one
because he wasn't playing up to his talent!
He somehow found himself along the way this season, I give him credit in
doing so.
I think he's gone however, I don't think John's like Pete and is going to
overpay certain positions unless you are a HOF talent.
I think KW is going to the highest bidder and I'm good with it, we will sign a
FA or draft another back and it will be fine.

 

[Seahawker]

LOL, come on, he was a bit of an outlier. Walker is a stud.

Exactly. It would be GM malpractice to let him leave, IMO. Nothing wrong with paying him fair market value. You don’t just toss away the SB MVP.

In today's NFL you don't overpay RB:s for late season heroics, especially ones who share carries, have had injuries and aren't an end zone magnet.
I like Walker but don't think John should over pay anyone to keep this emerging dynasty going and to avoid the cap trouble we were once in.
The Malcolm Smith reference was just to prove Silver wrong (lol) but is more relevant than you obviously think. Now you come on, lol.

 

[Hawkstorian]

That's your opinion and I doubt the majority shares it. Malcolm Smith.

Malcolm Smith as MVP was an awful choice. Walker may not everyone's first pick, but he deserved the award.

 

[CPHawk]

Noone seems to think Charbs will be back? He and Walker together was the best running 1/2 in the league. He'll be baaaack!

Charbs just got hurt. He won’t be back at full strength until well into the 2026 season. We have to keep K9, or have basically no run game for 6-8 games

 

[GemCity]

I’d love to keep K9…but, I also trust this FO and staff.

K9 doesn’t strike me as the “sold to the highest bidder” type guy either.

I wouldn’t blame him if he did.
@IndyHawk I got down on him too…the stats spoke for themselves at that time.

I have a feeling JS is going to make sure he stays home. I also believe we won’t break the bank.

 

[hawker84]

2nd best running back on the team, quiet as it's kept.

 

[Silver Hawk]

That's your opinion and I doubt the majority shares it. Malcolm Smith.

To refresh, wasn’t talking about Malcolm Smith. It’s strictly about this SB MVP, K9, who was no fluke, one timer.

 

[Silver Hawk]

In today's NFL you don't overpay RB:s for late season heroics, especially ones who share carries, have had injuries and aren't an end zone magnet.
I like Walker but don't think John should over pay anyone to keep this emerging dynasty going and to avoid the cap trouble we were once in.
The Malcolm Smith reference was just to prove Silver wrong (lol) but is more relevant than you obviously think. Now you come on, lol.

Who said overpay? How about simply a reasonable contract?

What you don’t do - is go into the season completely relying on two guys coming off major leg injuries and a slew of practice squad guys. Or think you’ll just magically draft someone that will work, or pick someone else’s garbage off the NFL scrap heap. You’re not going to sign K9 at any cost but some of you just seem to think he’s chopped liver and so easily replaceable. It’s like some of you don’t even want to entertain keeping him.

Prove me wrong? You proved nothing. You must know that the K9 situation and Malcolm Smith are not in any way similar regarding the context of the discussion.

 

[Tusc2000]

The reality is that RBs simply have a short shelf life. If paying K9 ransom $$$ means we can't keep others, then we will need to part company. It would be nice if Walker would take a team-friendly deal, but that's unlikely.

This will be his one opportunity in life to score a massive payday, and you can't blame a guy for taking it. We'll always be grateful for what he did in 2025. No way we get a ring without him. But if we pay him a big bag, there may be no way we get a 2nd ring with him.

 

[onanygivensunday]

K9 improved as a runner this year... no doubt about that. I credit our coaching staff... but he has a unique ability to get to the edge and in Mike's parlance... that's an excellent example of chasing an edge (no pun intended). In that regard, he has extra value as a running back that is relatively unmatched right now.

John has shown really solid judgement in the past regarding not overpaying our guys in 2nd and 3rd contracts. From my perspective, he sets what he believes to be the player's market value... and he pretty well adheres to it... my point being, I trust him to do the same for K9 and the rest of our impending unrestricted free agents.

 

[Silver Hawk]

K9 improved as a runner this year... no doubt about that. I credit our coaching staff... but he has a unique ability to get to the edge and in Mike's parlance... that's an excellent example of chasing an edge (no pun intended). In that regard, he has extra value as a running back that is relatively unmatched right now.

John has shown really solid judgement in the past regarding not overpaying our guys in 2nd and 3rd contracts. From my perspective, he sets what he believes to be the player's market value... and he pretty well adheres to it... my point being, I trust him to do the same for K9 and the rest of our impending unrestricted free agents.

It will be interesting to see what K9’s market value will be. There were 9 backs who played last year on contracts that had an average annual value of $10MM or more. Barkley, McCaffrey, Henry, etc. It is unlikely that anyone thinks K9 should be in that range.

The next slice had 13 backs between $5-10MM. After looking at the full range of actual 2025 RB salaries, my wild assed worthless guess would be that he will land somewhere near the middle/upper end of that $5-10MM average annual value. IMO, that wouldn’t seem wild or like a vast overpayment. It would seem like money well spent to ensure a viable RB room. BTW, his average on the first contract was $2.1MM annually.

 

[Aircrew]

The reality is that RBs simply have a short shelf life. If paying K9 ransom $$$ means we can't keep others, then we will need to part company. It would be nice if Walker would take a team-friendly deal, but that's unlikely.

This will be his one opportunity in life to score a massive payday, and you can't blame a guy for taking it. We'll always be grateful for what he did in 2025. No way we get a ring without him. But if we pay him a big bag, there may be no way we get a 2nd ring with him.

This. I like K9, but I remember Shaun Alexander's contract after XL that was a massive mistake and I don't want anything like that happening again. Young, strong, healthy and affordable RB's are a helluva lot easier to come by than offensive linemen, especially nowadays. Invest in the trenches, on both sides of the ball, and at QB. Everything else is easier to find if you have to.

 

[Silver Hawk]

This. I like K9, but I remember Shaun Alexander's contract after XL that was a massive mistake and I don't want anything like that happening again. Young, strong, healthy and affordable RB's are a helluva lot easier to come by than offensive linemen, especially nowadays. Invest in the trenches, on both sides of the ball, and at QB. Everything else is easier to find if you have to.

Right. Alexander was 29 and signed an 8 year, $62MM contract. Then he broke his foot. It was a terrible contract in terms of money (although, “only” $15MM was guaranteed) and length, with a terrible outcome.

What would you be comfortable with for K9? $ and length?

Edit: Alexander’s approximate $8MM/year in 2006 would be about like $13MM in 2026 dollars.

 

[Seahawker]

For context.

1) Barkley 20.6M
2) CMC 19M
3) Henry 15M
10) Conner 9.5M
15) Hubbard 8.3M
20) B. Robinson 5.5M avg (rookie deal) 7M 26'
36) KWlll 2.1M

2026 Draft year 1 rookie pay scale
#32 2.9M
#64 1.4M
#96 1.2M

For perspective the Bills have signed James Cook a 4 year $48M contract extension with 30M guaranteed, 12M avg per year
Walkers production falls short of Cooks.

So where does Walker fit? 10M?, more than B. Robinsons 26' 7M rookie slating?
It's a conundrum, a catch 22. What do you offer him without insulting his talent... Or potential production.
For me it's easier, it's about RB type & running style and $ commitment.
I want to draft a RB that has power, runs angry, breaks tackles and spells Barner from his short yardage duties. A guy like Nicholas Singleton Penn State on a rookie contract.

I'm not totally against re-signing KWlll, I'm just afraid my offer would be rejected as lowball or insulting. K9 is a great guy and talent who deserves to get paid & hopefully will. But I don't think we will be able to match what someone else is likely to offer.

 

[Silver Hawk]

For context.

1) Barkley 20.6M
2) CMC 19M
3) Henry 15M
10) Conner 9.5M
15) Hubbard 8.3M
20) B. Robinson 5.5M avg (rookie deal) 7M 26'
36) KWlll 2.1M

2026 Draft year 1 rookie pay scale
#32 2.9M
#64 1.4M
#96 1.2M

For perspective the Bills have signed James Cook a 4 year $48M contract extension with 30M guaranteed, 12M avg per year
Walkers production falls short of Cooks.

So where does Walker fit? 10M?, more than B. Robinsons 26' 7M rookie slating?
It's a conundrum, a catch 22. What do you offer him without insulting his talent... Or potential production.
For me it's easier, it's about RB type & running style and $ commitment.
I want to draft a RB that has power, runs angry, breaks tackles and spells Barner from his short yardage duties. A guy like Nicholas Singleton Penn State on a rookie contract.

I'm not totally against re-signing KWlll, I'm just afraid my offer would be rejected as lowball or insulting. K9 is a great guy and talent who deserves to get paid & hopefully will. But I don't think we will be able to match what someone else is likely to offer.

What would you offer him? What do you think someone else might offer?

I’d love to draft the kind of RB you mention but who knows what the availability will be.

I wouldn’t sign K9 at any cost but I would do whatever is reasonably palatable and fits within the team’s overall salary parameters and constraints. If that can get done, it would be far better than any other option currently on the table, IMO. Who knows when Zach will be ready to play? Who knows what we really have in McIntosh - this will be his 4th year, after missing almost all of 2 years with devastating knee injuries. After that, it’s just a bunch of guys. Of course, they can let Walker leave but it would be great to have a solid plan B, which we really don’t have right now.

 

[Hollandhawk]

K9 will not be as easily replaced as some people think. He was absolutely playing at an elite level once Charbs went out.

"In the 2025 NFL season, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III established himself as an elite tackle-breaker, with advanced metrics highlighting his efficiency. He averaged 2.7 yards after contact per attempt, ranking among the top 10 in the league for the metric during the season. He achieved 1,027 rushing yards, with a 58.7% rate of his yardage coming after contact, alongside high explosive run rates.
2025 Season Performance Metrics:

• Avg Yds After Contact: 2.7
• % Yds After Contact: 58.7%
• Broken Tackle Rate: Ranked top 5 in missed tackles forced per attempt at various points.
• Explosive Runs: Ranked in the top 4 for explosive run rate.
• Total Stats: 221 ATT, 1,027 YDS, 5 TD.

Walker finished the season as a top-tier running back in efficiency, frequently forcing missed tackles and generating significant yardage after initial contact."

 

[Seahawker]

I think we all have seen Walkers inside carries between the guards compared to his off tackle, outside runs which either get minimal or 9 or 10+. For a run first team it's hard to have him in the backfield on 1st down if you want to stay ahead of the chains and give yourself more 2nd down & more manageable yards.
I will say the guy is explosive, can break a game open, demoralize a defense and cause headaches for DC's. His running style reminds me of a poor man's Barry Sanders with a little more size & power and a little less speed & shake.

K9 and Charbs have been a great combo and both being a question mark for the season is concerning, especially when both are universally
liked. I think it's important to remember that while both K9 & Charbs could be considered high priority, neither are indispensable.
Sometimes a window of fate makes the decision while the iron is hot.

 

[Silver Hawk]

K9 will not be as easily replaced as some people think. He was absolutely playing at an elite level once Charbs went out.

"In the 2025 NFL season, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III established himself as an elite tackle-breaker, with advanced metrics highlighting his efficiency. He averaged 2.7 yards after contact per attempt, ranking among the top 10 in the league for the metric during the season. He achieved 1,027 rushing yards, with a 58.7% rate of his yardage coming after contact, alongside high explosive run rates.
2025 Season Performance Metrics:

• Avg Yds After Contact: 2.7
• % Yds After Contact: 58.7%
• Broken Tackle Rate: Ranked top 5 in missed tackles forced per attempt at various points.
• Explosive Runs: Ranked in the top 4 for explosive run rate.
• Total Stats: 221 ATT, 1,027 YDS, 5 TD.

Walker finished the season as a top-tier running back in efficiency, frequently forcing missed tackles and generating significant yardage after initial contact."

I’d also add that in 221 rushing attempts, he didn’t fumble even once. Cook and Henry fumbled 6 and 4 times, respectively. That’s a “something”.