Is it me or why didn’t they just franchise Walker?

[keasley45]

I heard JS say in a video, what a lot of members here said.. You can get a RB anywhere and went on about the millions it would be for K9 and it wasn't worth it.

But then we give our PR / KR franchise running back money? I hear what you are saying and to a degree understand JS's logic. But in an era where RB's are again becoming MORE valued, not less, and we are a team at the tip of that trend, why do we invest the money we have in a WR1 and WR2 with a QB who we have said the best way to deploy is by not asking him to do too much? Wouldnt it make sense to lock up thr self-acknowledged core of our offensive identity?

Walker got a three-year deal with a $43.05 million base value and $28.7 million fully guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Brady Henderson.

Rashid Shaheed signed a three year, $51 million contract. $34.735 million is guaranteed of which $22.235 million is fully guaranteed including a $20 million signing bonus.

To me, the value conversation starts and ends there. JSN aside.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[chrispy]

But then we give our PR / KR franchise running back money? I hear what you are saying and to a degree understand JS's logic. But in an era where RB's are again becoming MORE valued, not less, and we are a team at the tip of that trend, why do we invest the money we have in a WR1 and WR2 with a QB who we have said the best way to deploy is by not asking him to do too much? Wouldnt it make sense to lock up thr self-acknowledged core of our offensive identity?

Walker got a three-year deal with a $43.05 million base value and $28.7 million fully guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Brady Henderson.

Rashid Shaheed signed a three year, $51 million contract. $34.735 million is guaranteed of which $22.235 million is fully guaranteed including a $20 million signing bonus.

To me, the value conversation starts and ends there. JSN aside.

There's culture fit too. We can't know all the off-field conversations from the SB and when K9 signed with the Chiefs. Reading between the lines, there seemed to be some drama: the back-and-forth around JSs comment pre-parade about K9 negotiating earlier that day, K9 talking about wanting to avoid sharing carries and being a lead back....

I'm sure there's always drama. Losing K9 might end up looking like losing Max Unger or it might end up looking like losing DK (I know those were trades). One departure really hurt the team culture and one didnt. I hope K9 does well on the Chiefs and he gets to go to the SB again. But I hope Sam Darnold wins that SB MVP.

 

[Ostatehawk]

Walker was a huge reason we had the success we did. But he was pretty "fresh" long in to the season by splitting the RB chores.
What happened the last few years he was the featured back?? Injuries.
He won't last a whole season as the featured back in KC.

Not with that O line - they are struggling in that area.

 

[Ozzy]

Price at 2 million vs Walker at 14sh? My math could be off but this feels like a no brainer. That's money you can now use to extend other more important names that are coming up.

I think Price may be as good as Walker and if he can stay healthy its a home run.

 

[pmedic920]

VALUE!

The simple answer is “value”.

You don’t over pay for the RB position when there are viable alternatives in the draft.

I loved K9 and hated to see him go elsewhere but……

He’s not a generational talent, nor does he have the locker room impact that someone like BeastMode did.

Simply wasn’t worth the cost, and EVERYONE should be able to understand it.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No doubt. I was a big K9 fan. But I'm very happy they didn't pay him what he is getting in KC.

 

[seabowl]

I heard JS say in a video, what a lot of members here said.. You can get a RB anywhere and went on about the millions it would be for K9 and it wasn't worth it.

Sure, you can get them anywhere, but you also have no idea what you’re getting in them. Remember Christine Michael? Rashaad Penny? CJ Procise? Etc.. Aliso if you can get them anywhere, then why does he keep using high draft picks to select them? Within the last number of years he has used two first round picks and two second round picks on running backs.

 

[Grahamhawker]

Simple answer is RBs are often a good value on their rookie deal, but not many are a great value after later signings.

 

[HagFaithful]

It's a valid point. Only the results of next season will answer this question.

But it seems a little counter-intuitive to not extend/Franchise Tag the Super Bowl MVP.

Just let him walk for nothing? The balls on Schneider, bro...

 

[toffee]

Two words: Schneider Line!

Running behind our OL, any legit RB will be a 1000 yard back.

 

[Jville]

Running Back was a rotational position for Seahawks in 2025. It's likely that the position will continue as a rotational position for 2026 as well. Full time verses part time likely influences the position's expenditure bucket.

The team is in good hands.

 

[GemCity]

There are exceptions. Phenomenal backs that teams just feel like they have to take a chance on. A Bijan Robinson type guy…Saquon…even recently (and to my delight) AZ took Love. Even if RB were their biggest need, take a look at what they’re going to owe Love.

As for K9, he definitely turned it up near the end. I don’t fault KC for wanting that type production (regardless of our thoughts on K9 being the full-time featured back). Congrats K9…you got paid.

Our RB situation reminds me of what I’ve seen over the years. Have you ever seen a team have a lead RB get injured and their backup has damn near the same production? It happens every year….there are very few exceptions.

Take a look at what Philly did with Saquon. $20M per year? I know someone on the coaching staff…very, very, very close to the RB group. They regret that decision. They obviously love him as a player and are comfortable with him back there but…they bent to that SB win pressure.

I wanted K9 to return too. Especially with Charbs injured (whom I go back and forth about him being a true #1.)

But, for that cost? Nah…the PRICE wasn’t right…but since we have the best damn GM and coach in the league, the PRICE is now right.

 

[ivotuk]

K9 had an injury history, as a part time back. Lock up almost 13 million guaranteed for a part time running back? Spoon's huge contract is coming up, so who will you let go next year in order to keep a part time running back? Byron Murphy? Leonard Williams? What about Ernest Jones? Or Julian Love?

You've got too many players who are much more valuable to this franchise than a running back.

We got his replacement at pick 32, the cheapest 1st round contract with a 5th year option. This will allow us to keep the playmakers on defense.

Besides, we don't know how high KC would have been willing to go. I'm sure it would have been more than we could have afforded.

 

[oldhawkfan]

It's a valid point. Only the results of next season will answer this question.

But it seems a little counter-intuitive to not extend/Franchise Tag the Super Bowl MVP.

Just let him walk for nothing? The balls on Schneider, bro...

Just because he was the Super Bowl MVP you think he should have been extended or franchised? Would you have said the same thing about Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith?

I loved K9 as a Seahawk and defended him more than a few times on dot net. Had they been able to resign him for a few million less than he got in KC then I probably would’ve been ok with it. But not for the money he got. K9 could conceivably have more good years in him but the reality is that RBs typically have about a 3 1/2 year average to their careers.

The RB position going into the 2026 season is arguably at least close to what it was in 2025. It might even be better. We won’t really know until they gear up and get down.

I was a fan of K9 from the get go. I’m hoping that Price shows me something that gets me on board early with him too.

 

[seabowl]

Simple answer is RBs are often a good value on their rookie deal, but not many are a great value after later signings.

Actually, running backs are one of the worst values on the rookie deal if picked high since most typically do not get paid very high later on. You’d much rather spend that first round pick on a highly compensated position. Sea Russell Wilson for a very good example.

 

[seabowl]

Just because he was the Super Bowl MVP you think he should have been extended or franchised? Would you have said the same thing about Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith?

I loved K9 as a Seahawk and defended him more than a few times on dot net. Had they been able to resign him for a few million less than he got in KC then I probably would’ve been ok with it. But not for the money he got. K9 could conceivably have more good years in him but the reality is that RBs typically have about a 3 1/2 year average to their careers.

The RB position going into the 2026 season is arguably at least close to what it was in 2025. It might even be better. We won’t really know until they gear up and get down.

I was a fan of K9 from the get go. I’m hoping that Price shows me something that gets me on board early with him too.

So a healthy Charbs and K9 going into the 2025 season is worse than Charbs coming off of an ACL tear and not even being able to play the beginning of the 2026 season and a rookie in Price being a better situation? I’m sorry, but I don’t see any way, shape, or form on how you can see the 2026 Seahawks at running back are in better shape going into the season versus last year.

 

[ivotuk]

Calling Rashid Shaheed a KR/PR is disingenuous, he played WR too. Let's not forget, the running game took off after we traded for Rashid Shaheed and he started playing wide receiver. Defenses had to respect his speed.

Rashid is a factor in taking the pressure off of JSN also.

 

[ivotuk]

Actually, running backs are one of the worst values on the rookie deal if picked high since most typically do not get paid very high later on. You’d much rather spend that first round pick on a highly compensated position. Sea Russell Wilson for a very good example.

Huh? If K9 would have been picked at 32, we'd have him for one more year on the cheap.

Imagine if Price, being a bigger, heavier back, plays comparable to K9 during his first 3 years, we'd still have him for 2 more after that, on the cheap.

 

[mistaowen]

K9 is a streaky runner who can hit a homerun or misread his blocks and lose 4 yards. The offensive system requires the RB to finish runs forward which Charbs does well, even if he is way less flashy. Price is going to be awesome for this scheme, slow to the hole letting blocks develop and then crazy acceleration/vision once it forms.

It was clear this past year the FO did not view him as a long term starter when he split carries and in some games actively was RB2. Frustrating because I really liked him, great dude who can definitely be a top 10 guy, but he just didn't seem to be a long term scheme fit. He would have 3-4 great plays, mess up one carry, and then sit for 2 quarters. Was pretty obvious he wouldn't be resigned.

RB is also one of the easiest positions to plug into systems when you have a good OL, coaching staff, and scheme. Shanahan's system shits out 100 yard running backs when they are on their 7th guy due to injury. JS clearly likes to draft RBs early and not spend $$$ later, basically churning through their good years. Strong chance Charbs doesn't get a second contract either.