K9. Saddle up and pay or not?

Followthelegion

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You can’t pay everyone and yes they have a good amount of cap space but with the extensions to Spoon and JSN likely fast approaching, in addition to the bevy of starters we have decisions to make over, the cash only goes so far. I think especially given the injury history you are unlikely to see Seattle go above 12 per year as an average. Obviously more important is the structure than the avg yearly pay
 

Bobblehead

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You can’t pay everyone and yes they have a good amount of cap space but with the extensions to Spoon and JSN likely fast approaching, in addition to the bevy of starters we have decisions to make over, the cash only goes so far. I think especially given the injury history you are unlikely to see Seattle go above 12 per year as an average. Obviously more important is the structure than the avg yearly pay
What I've been hearing quite abit is they can gain a lot more CAP by restructuring..Guess we have a lot of room for that as well...We are in really good shape.
 

Trackhawk

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We are in excellent shape. You know how you get out of excellent shape? By not sticking to the game plan when it comes to paying players.
 

glenwo2

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We are in excellent shape. You know how you get out of excellent shape? By not sticking to the game plan when it comes to paying players.
And what is the game plan?

Let K9 walk and sign Breece Hall or Etienne?
 

Trackhawk

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And what is the game plan?

Let K9 walk and sign Breece Hall or Etienne?
The game plan is that you budget for the team as a whole, and don’t overpay for any individual player, simply because of a perceived need/ scarcity. That kind of behavior gets teams into cap hell.

Each player has a value range in your overall budget, and you don’t go outside your range.

We all get this, no one here is going to argue that we should pay K9, say, a fully guaranteed $25 million APY for four years. It’s just a question of what the upper border of his value is.

I’m happy with him at $11 APY for four years, but I would like to see that coming through escalators and bonuses, rather than as a baseline guaranteed salary. I’m not happy with paying him $15 APY, but if that’s in the budget, and that’s what it takes, so be it.
 

Blazenhawks

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I’m coming into this conversation pretty late, but let’s look at his overall body of work since he was drafted—not just his performance in the playoffs. He’s been injured often, and his running style relies heavily on explosive plays. During the regular season, he’d start strong and then disappear for the majority of the game, he sucks at pass blocking and his pass catching is below average. Winning the MVP doesn’t automatically mean he should be paid like he deserves it. Personally, I was ready to move on from him well before the playoffs, I'm okay bringing him back if it was for $6-8mil per year.
 

Grahamhawker

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I guess what it really comes down to is if someone makes a crazy-money offer or not. Considering Walker's complete body of work I can't see any top-tier offers making sense, but what do I know. If the sane thing happens, he's probably worth more to the Hawks than other teams from the continuity standpoint alone. Seeing him sign for James Cook, Kyren Williams, Aaron Jones type money (10-11M) probably makes sense. Given the Hawks current RB and draft pick situation I'd sign him for that in a heartbeat. Much more than that... I dunno.
 

chris98251

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I have to throw out a lot of our RB draft history when we had Pete here with John, I know John was involved but Pete was well Pete. Since he left John has nailed it, Our RB drafts with Pete were pretty abysmal Carson being the outlier and many coinsiderd him a throw in pick. John has hit on Charbs and Walker so far. Oh don't consider Lynch he was a trade and probably a John idea. So if we go draft route I am hoping we get the same kind of results, would prefer a better right Gaurd however.
 

Seahawker

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I’m coming into this conversation pretty late, but let’s look at his overall body of work since he was drafted—not just his performance in the playoffs. He’s been injured often, and his running style relies heavily on explosive plays. During the regular season, he’d start strong and then disappear for the majority of the game, he sucks at pass blocking and his pass catching is below average. Winning the MVP doesn’t automatically mean he should be paid like he deserves it. Personally, I was ready to move on from him well before the playoffs, I'm okay bringing him back if it was for $6-8mil per year.
This is where I'm at, nice post Blazen.
I would add, 3 year, 0 guaranteed year 3.
Incentives yr, $500K 1K yds, $500K 12TD.
Or such. Signing bonus and guaranteed $ to be worked out but per year avg under 10.
Try to remember (IMHO) there are not a lot teams flush with cap $ who are going to be wheelbarrowing cash at K9.
Every team has their own FA's to worry about and there is an excess of RB's on the market.
Also the decision to invest in this area could (will) have unseen effects, pos/neg and should be weighed carefully. See SA37 last payday.

I want my RB's young, tough & hungry.
 

irfuben32

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Splitting is a double-edged sword. It lowers stats, but it also protects a RB from injury.

I think it impacted K9s performance. Not just raw stats but the whole getting into a groove and getting a feel for the offense
 

glenwo2

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I’m coming into this conversation pretty late, but let’s look at his overall body of work since he was drafted—not just his performance in the playoffs. He’s been injured often, and his running style relies heavily on explosive plays. During the regular season, he’d start strong and then disappear for the majority of the game, he sucks at pass blocking and his pass catching is below average. Winning the MVP doesn’t automatically mean he should be paid like he deserves it. Personally, I was ready to move on from him well before the playoffs, I'm okay bringing him back if it was for $6-8mil per year.
I think his pass-catching has improved.

As far as "being injured often", I know you came late so I'll put this up again :

Screenshot 2026 02 19 at 21 46 02 how many games has Kenneth Walker III missed in his NFL care
 

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