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

[Seahawker]

Walker had 161 all-purpose yards and no TD's in the Super Bowl and won SB MVP which might explain some of your big rolling tears about not franchising him.
I just wish Jason Myers would get a little more credit for breaking the single season scoring record and setting a record for 5 FG's in the SB.
Ungrateful bastards, lol.

 

[oldhawkfan]

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.

Ok I might have jumped the gun a bit here. But I’m just hoping Charbs is ready sooner rather than later. Big hope, I know. I’m also thinking maybe the Price was right and we might be saying K9who?

If those two things happen, then it’s definitely a better situation. Right now nobody knows. That’s part of what makes it fun. A little optimism never hurts.

 

[Grahamhawker]

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.

Sure, any position can be a value on a player's rookie deal. Perhaps the best position of all to be in is to draft a QB who's good right out of the gate to take advantage of those cheap contract years.

I was leaning more into how RB production on average drops off after the first 4 or so years. Example data Here. So I think teams need to weigh those 2nd contracts very carefully.

 

[sutz]

Walker had 161 all-purpose yards and no TD's in the Super Bowl and won SB MVP which might explain some of your big rolling tears about not franchising him.
I just wish Jason Myers would get a little more credit for breaking the single season scoring record and setting a record for 5 TD's in the SB.
Ungrateful bastards, lol.

You might want to edit that post, bro. 5 TDs from our kicker?

 

[Seahawker]

Thanks, lol.

 

[fraser]

Let’s try to remember our offensive line blocking will change. It’s going to be more of a zone block method. It stems way back to Mike Shannahan. If you recall, Terrell Davis was drafted in the 6th round due to his one cut, hit the gap and go. I’m not sure if Walker is that type of runner but I do know Price has that application.

 

[olyfan63]

It doesn't sound like he wanted to be here spliting carries, he may have wanted to be the lead dog. Plus its not best to keep a disgruntled player on the team and he has been injury prone.

With hindsight, it's best that we didn't keep K9. The way the draft played out in the 1st round, our prospect fits were pretty much wiped out; (CB) Chris Johnson, (OG) Keylan Rutledge, (DE) Keldric Faulk, and (DE) Malachi Lawrence were all gone.

We got Bud Clark a ballhawking (S/CB) in the 2nd round, Julian Neal a big physical CB in the 3rd round, and (OG) Beau Stevens a starting calibre physical run blocking stud in the 5th round.

Yeah, Chris Johnson was a popular pick on a lot of boards. In hindsight, no universe in which he makes it to the Hawks at 32.

 

[seabowl]

Sure, any position can be a value on a player's rookie deal. Perhaps the best position of all to be in is to draft a QB who's good right out of the gate to take advantage of those cheap contract years.

I was leaning more into how RB production on average drops off after the first 4 or so years. Example data Here. So I think teams need to weigh those 2nd contracts very carefully.

And that’s why I was saying only to franchise him for one year, not necessarily sign him into a long-term contract. People keep commenting about signing him to a long-term contract, but that is not what I suggested at all in any of these posts on this thread. As I also stated previously, I don’t think Price is a bad running back, I just think he’s much much much more of an unknown than what we already know in Kenneth Walker, who was a key player in leading this team to winning the Super Bowl.

 

[Trackhawk]

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.

Nicely done post. I will just say m, “which player is likely to cost more, when measured in dollars per games started?”

Similar contracts, but I bet the delta in $/games started will be hugely in favor of Shaheed at the end of four years.

 

[fraser]

And that’s why I was saying only to franchise him for one year, not necessarily sign him into a long-term contract. People keep commenting about signing him to a long-term contract, but that is not what I suggested at all in any of these posts on this thread. As I also stated previously, I don’t think Price is a bad running back, I just think he’s much much much more of an unknown than what we already know in Kenneth Walker, who was a key player in leading this team to winning the Super Bowl.

If you franchise tag him he becomes the second most expensive RB in the league without a long term deal. Players, especially RB’s, want longevity. Their time spent on average is 5 years at best. He would be disgruntled. Let him go.

 

[fraser]

If you franchise tag him he becomes the second most expensive RB in the league without a long term deal. Players, especially RB’s, want longevity. Their time spent on average is 5 years at best. He would be disgruntled. Let him go.

And just for the record, Walker was great in the SB but he wasn’t the MVP in my eyes. The glamour positions always take note. To me it was Witherspoon. But many rarely bank on that.

 

[seabowl]

If you franchise tag him he becomes the second most expensive RB in the league without a long term deal. Players, especially RB’s, want longevity. Their time spent on average is 5 years at best. He would be disgruntled. Let him go.

I get it but let him be disgruntled. He has to play well on a one year deal or else his bargaining power goes down. So every time a player that is disgruntled, you have to let them go? The window was open now folks, securing one of the top three players on offense last year just for one year when it won’t bankrupt the teams cap in my opinion is not a bad idea.

 

[HagFaithful]

I get it but let him be disgruntled. He has to play well on a one year deal or else his bargaining power goes down. So every time a player that is disgruntled, you have to let them go? The window was open now folks, securing one of the top three players on offense last year just for one year when it won’t bankrupt the teams cap in my opinion is not a bad idea.

Couldn't put it any clearer. It's a gamble in the least, reckless if it doesn't work out. This is Schneider's Waterloo.

The balls...

 

[fraser]

And a major shout out to the best athletes in the world. NHL hockey players. No one bleeds more blood and guts to the game than them. Knock about and pound each other to the end and then here is the diamond in this sport….. they line up and shake hands. Best hard knocks gentleman sport on the planet.

Go Habs!!!!

 

[fraser]

I get it but let him be disgruntled. He has to play well on a one year deal or else his bargaining power goes down. So every time a player that is disgruntled, you have to let them go? The window was open now folks, securing one of the top three players on offense last year just for one year when it won’t bankrupt the teams cap in my opinion is not a bad idea.

Just RB’s. Unfortunately. 53 million to KC? Do you actually want that? Let him go. Money saved.

 

[flv2]

Is it me or is anyone else keen to see what a Justin Fields/Kenneth Walker passing offense looks like?

 

[fraser]

I get it but let him be disgruntled. He has to play well on a one year deal or else his bargaining power goes down. So every time a player that is disgruntled, you have to let them go? The window was open now folks, securing one of the top three players on offense last year just for one year when it won’t bankrupt the teams cap in my opinion is not a bad idea.

It’s culture. And I didn’t say he was disgruntled because he was on the team. I said the player would be disgruntled if you franchise tagged him. Big difference. You want a lad who now doesn’t give that extra because he may get hurt and lose out on a future contract? I get it…. He will still try to acquire but he won’t dive deep into his discipline without a contract. The man who you to Walter Payton your ass at the sidelines doesn’t exist anymore. Hes on a Tag floating. Waiting for tomorrow.

 

[fraser]

The edge it gone.

 

[jeremiah]

I get that he would’ve cost $14 million but for one year, coming off of a Super Bowl, in my opinion they should’ve just gone that route. They had to spend their first round pick on a running back that nobody is really sure what he is going to do. Would rather have had the sure thing in Walker at running back and have been able to use the first round pick on another need.

Every year Walker played here except for last year, he was injured a lot. There are players who do not want to play with little injuries. He played last year IMO, for the big contract. He will likely be injured in the coming year and not available a lot. It is a pattern some players follow.

 

[chris98251]

Our RB needed Price, Charbs may not be back till December, even then it takes getting to the second year typically for the explosiveness to return if they work hard. Wilson and Holani as well as little Mac will get a big chance this year to show as a #2.