K9. Saddle up and pay or not?

[Trackhawk]

I have long held the opinion that paying a premium for a RB is wasting money and that the position can usually be filled by a draft pick, a pick that contributes immediately and doesn't require a 1st rounder (I would rather Seattle pick a monster RG before a RB unless there isn't one good enough) I wouldn't mind JS trading the 1st round pick for a couple 2nd or 3rd and wouldn't be surprised if JS indeed turned the picks in the first 3 rounds to 5 picks in rounds 2-3.

100% this.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

It's a fair opinion. As is mine and what others think of K9 and his worth to THIS team.

 

[ZagHawk]

My opinion. If you are trying to win in the next 1-2 years and fall off sharply after...pay him. If you're accepting a drop-off next year and trying to stay competitive for the next 5-6 years him, let him explore. I personally would let him go and utilize the salary elsewhere.

 

[hox]

Remember when K9 used to run into blockers. Something clicked for him this season. He was able to see the field better. That patient Leveon Bell style inside run? Impressive. Those break-away outside runs in the playoffs and SB? Not sure if our other backs can do that. He's become an important piece.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

K9 is a slightly above average running back, who falls back to average when you consider his lack of blocking and receiving skills.

K9 is better than "slightly above average", and I'm guessing that those who identify a "lack" of receiving skills weren't watching the final Rams game.

I agree with the caution in breaking the bank for a running back, especially when he already has an injury history, and especially given the run game coordinator is now heading to Vegas. But let's get K9's quality right. He proved me wrong this year.

 

[GemCity]

K9 is better than "slightly above average", and I'm guessing that those who identify a "lack" of receiving skills weren't watching the final Rams game.

I agree with the caution in breaking the bank for a running back, especially when he already has an injury history, and especially given the run game coordinator is now heading to Vegas. But let's get K9's quality right. He proved me wrong this year.

Yes sir. A healthy K9 is, imo, a top tier back.

What we don’t want is a situation that happened to say, the Eagles. Saquon’s production wasn’t anywhere near worth what they paid. At the same time, I’d expect him to not have another year like that on this current contract.

Hard to do but, my favorite ‘model’ is having a bad ass O-line…one where you can essentially throw anyone in the backfield and the team profits.

Our O-line isn’t there…yet.

 

[chris98251]

With Charbs needing a year plus to get back to hios normal, sign Bryce Hall, sign K9, you have your duel purpose backfield and both can pass protect Hall being better at it and catch the ball again Hall better at it, both run so no tipping and Charbs heals.

 

[Silver Hawk]

Here is a primer on the available “tags”. It appears that a Transition Tag would give the Seahawks a right of first refusal if another team were to offer a contract. However, there is no draft pick compensation as part of the process.

Franchise Tags | NFL Football Operations

Each team can apply a franchise or transition tender (“tag”) to one player scheduled to become a free agent, which prevents the player from hitting the open market. Learn more about the franchise tag rules.

operations.nfl.com

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Yes sir. A healthy K9 is, imo, a top tier back.

What we don’t want is a situation that happened to say, the Eagles. Saquon’s production wasn’t anywhere near worth what they paid. At the same time, I’d expect him to not have another year like that on this current contract.

Hard to do but, my favorite ‘model’ is having a bad ass O-line…one where you can essentially throw anyone in the backfield and the team profits.

Our O-line isn’t there…yet.

Eh, I disagree our OL isn't there. They were getting absolutely drooled over by everyone over the last 7 games or so. Enormous push, terrific execution in the run game, even by Bradford.

I also personally feel that the "any RB can succeed with a good enough OL" model is way too overdone, an overcompensation by the "no second contracts for RBs ever" crowd. You need a guy who can make the most of what he gets.

It's a credit to K9 that he's made this a difficult conversation. I still wouldn't be surprised if he's allowed to walk. I'm betting on John to find a way, though.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Here is a primer on the available “tags”. It appears that a Transition Tag would give the Seahawks a right of first refusal if another team were to offer a contract. However, there is no draft pick compensation as part of the process.

Franchise Tags | NFL Football Operations

Each team can apply a franchise or transition tender (“tag”) to one player scheduled to become a free agent, which prevents the player from hitting the open market. Learn more about the franchise tag rules.

operations.nfl.com

Thx for sharing. The host they just had this morning on 710 said they get a pick back if they lose him on a transition tag.
Interesting.

 

[Silver Hawk]

If you let K9 go, then the result is you have no running back room heading into 2026.

Charbs will likely miss several games (6-8?) and it is unknown how well he will recover. Kenny McIntosh is even more of a question mark, with his 31 carries in 3 years. After that, you have practice squad quality guys (Akers, Holani, Jones, Wright) that you can in no way count on to make some leap to bell cow starter. As for the draft, that would be a complete wild card. You could get someone else in free agency but who would that be and would it be worth saving a relatively small amount of $?

So, IMO, you find a palatable way to keep K9. At least for one year, if you don’t like the price, until maybe you could have a decent backup plan.

 

[Grahamhawker]

If you let K9 go, then the result is you have no running back room heading into 2026.

Charbs will likely miss several games (6-8?) and it is unknown how well he will recover. Kenny McIntosh is even more of a question mark, with his 31 carries in 3 years. After that, you have practice squad quality guys (Akers, Holani, Jones, Wright) that you can in no way count on to make some leap to bell cow starter. As for the draft, that would be a complete wild card. You could get someone else in free agency but who would that be and would it be worth saving a relatively small amount of $?

So, IMO, you find a palatable way to keep K9. At least for one year, if you don’t like the price, until maybe you could have a decent backup plan.

Reality is we'd be starting nearly from scratch without K9 next year. Does anyone really want to be in that situation? Just have to find that acceptable way of doing it.

 

[hawks85]

None of the free agents are going anywhere. Coach Mike is talking continuity. We have the cap space to pay everyone and then some.

 

[CalgaryFan05]

Hard to do but, my favorite ‘model’ is having a bad ass O-line…one where you can essentially throw anyone in the backfield and the team profits.

This. I likes me some running back by committee....... Don't matter who you plug in - next man up. And a decent fullback. And a playcaller that calls ******* plays that USE the fullback

 

[Seahawker]

I am in the minority and don't want to make a big commitment to K9 neither in terms of contract length or $.
Reasons.
1) Though he is talented, because of injuries & sharing carries he has not put up the #'s or consistency for a big contract.
2) I favor drafting a young RB to stay cheap, healthy & for fresh legs.
3) I prefer a young work worse RB who stays ahead of the chains, has size & power, breaks tackles, runs angry, spells Barner from his short yardage duties and who wears down defenses.

I would be fine with one year prove it deal or 3 years with no guaranteed $ in year 3. I wouldn't go double digit per year.
In today's NFL RB's are kind of a dime a dozen, only the top 3 make the big $ for the position.

I say let the market determine Walkers value, it may give us better bargaining power or he might be gone, let it play out.

Martinez 25' R7 #223
Holani undrafted 24'
Charbs 23' R2 #52
McIntosh 23' R7 # 237
KWlll 22' R2 #41
Penny 18' R1 #27

With a #32 draft slating, I think we should draft a RB in the 1st or 2nd round and believe this draft will hold multiple great prospects in that range. Also don't rule out a cheap FA RB.
Ideally with our current RB injuries, K9 would sign a team friendly shorter term deal with incentives and we would draft our workhorse of the future in April

 

[Silver Hawk]

Thx for sharing. The host they just had this morning on 710 said they get a pick back if they lose him on a transition tag.
Interesting.

Maybe he was thinking about the Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag. Very similar to the Transition Tag, with a right of first refusal, but - there are compensatory draft picks if the player signs with another team.

Here are the parameters on different types of free agents. Walker of course, is an Unrestricted Free Agent.

Types of Free Agents | NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

 

[Timberhawk]

Bank-Busting or Budget: The Shocking Truth Behind Super Bowl RB Salaries Revealed!

The NFL: where every snap counts, every yard matters, and every dollar… well, does it? In the world of fast-paced touchdowns and bone-crunching tackles, i...

draftedge.com

I was listening somewhere recently that talked about this. The highest paid RB as a percent of the teams overall salary cap to win a SB since 2000 or so was Marshawn at about 6%. On average the salary has been about .9% of the total cap for the SB winner. So like all players and positions it comes down to money. K9 is an incredible player and I would love to keep him, but at what cost? Looking at these actuals was enlightening to me.

 

[GemCity]

Eh, I disagree our OL isn't there. They were getting absolutely drooled over by everyone over the last 7 games or so. Enormous push, terrific execution in the run game, even by Bradford.

I also personally feel that the "any RB can succeed with a good enough OL" model is way too overdone, an overcompensation by the "no second contracts for RBs ever" crowd. You need a guy who can make the most of what he gets.

It's a credit to K9 that he's made this a difficult conversation. I still wouldn't be surprised if he's allowed to walk. I'm betting on John to find a way, though.

Legit perspective. We won the SB so, whatever the case…it’s working.

Imo, we’re a C and RG away still.

I’m talking a line where you don’t need a $12M per year RB. This is, and always will be a narrative. From pee-wee football to the NFL.

Similarly, the same perspective is indeed prevalent with the D-line. A dominant D-line has a greater effect than a dominant secondary.

Obviously, the best of all worlds is ideal.

 

[Timberhawk]

The NFL Salary Cap and Super Bowl Champions Part II | Over the Cap

The NFL Salary Cap and Super Bowl Champions Part II | Over the Cap

overthecap.com

In case anyone else likes to try and nerd out on this and how it compares to not just RB’s but other positions.

 

[Trackhawk]

We shouldn't be blinded to his history by the elite level run that he went on to close out the season. History is littered with backs who looked elite for a short time, in a contract year, who then reverted to the mean once they got paid.

Top tier running backs don't need to split carries to make it through a season. Top tier running backs top 4.8 YPC. Top tier running backs don't need four years of coaching to figure out you can't dance backward behind the line. Top tier running backs are breaking 1,500 rushing and 2,000 total yards per season. (scoring can't be used here due to the way they let Charbs finish drives)

Walker doesn't belong in that conversation, and if you are paying to have two backs split carries, neither of them should be paid top tier money.

If Walker had a couple of seasons approaching 1,500/ 2,000 and 5 ypc, where he made it through the entire season as the bellcow back, then it makes sense to pay him in the 15 mill APY range.

He may be him, but so far he has only flashed potential, not realized it for a full season.