Seahawks GM Reveals Kenneth Walker III Tried to Negotiate Deal at Super Bowl Parade

Kenneth Walker is set to become a free agent as his four year rookie deal is near completion.

Seahawks GM Reveals Kenneth Walker III Tried to Negotiate Deal at Super Bowl Parade

Kenneth Walker (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Kenneth Walker III attempted to negotiate a contract extension with Seahawks GM John Schneider shortly after winning Super Bowl MVP.
  • Schneider humorously mentioned the negotiation during the Super Bowl parade, but Walker later denied making such a proposal.
  • Walker is set to enter free agency unless the Seahawks extend his contract or place a franchise tag on him for the 2026 season.

It only makes sense for the Super Bowl MVP to ask for a secured and long-term deal. That’s exactly the path Kenneth Walker III followed after a sensational performance at Super Bowl LX, where the NFL named him the Seahawks’ best player over kicker Jason Myers and punter Michael Dixon.

A few days later, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said that Walker came to him with a proposal to extend his contract immediately after the MVP award ceremony.

Ken [Kenneth] Walker being the MVP, let’s go. He tried negotiating with me five minutes ago. It was really weird.

Schneider addressed the charged Seattle crowd from the podium at the Seahawks Super Bowl parade

Walker was present at the parade, of course, squeezed between his teammates on the podium. Later, the 25-year-old shared a video of Schneider’s speech on Instagram, accompanied by an intriguing caption.

Must have been da liquor [alcohol] he [was] drinking, cuz I never said that (expletive).

Walker wrote

It’s futile to argue or speculate who is right here. Nevertheless, it’s a fact that Walker will enter free agency if Schneider and the Seahawks don’t extend his contract. As the Michigan State graduate wasn’t drafted in the first round, Seattle doesn’t have the luxury of picking up a fifth-year option.

The Seahawks can either place a franchise tag on him, in which case Walker will earn $14.5 million for the 2026 NFL season, as per Spotrac. And the second option is obviously to sign him to a big extension. According to Spotrac, Walker could earn up to $33.5 million over four years, or a little over $8 million. That said, he could request $13.5 million annually, making it a three-year deal worth a total of $40.5 million.

Kenneth Walker makes a revelation about his father

Walker edged himself onto a rare list of players on Sunday. MVP awards, whether for the league or the Super Bowl, are usually won by quarterbacks. It is rare for a skill player to bag the best player award, during football’s biggest spectacle.

Seahawks GM Reveals Kenneth Walker III Tried to Negotiate Deal at Super Bowl Parade
#9 Kenneth Walker avoids a Bills defender (Image via IMAGO)

K9 became the first running back to become MVP since Broncos Terrell Davis in Super Bowl 32. These two are part of an 8 player RB list, that have had the honor of being called the best player in the Super Bowl: Larry Csonka, Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl 8), Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl 9), John Riggins, Washington Commanders/Redskins (Super Bowl 17), Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders (Super Bowl 18), Ottis Anderson, New York Giants (Super Bowl 25), and Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl 28).

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment that Walker pulled off right in front of his father. Speaking to the media after the Super Bowl, Walker revealed that his father rarely visits football games because he is not a fan of crowded places.

It means a lot, especially my little brother and my dad. My dad, he comes out to Seattle all the time and watches games, but he never goes to the games because he don’t like crowds. So this was his first NFL game, and we won a Super Bowl. So it means a lot to me, and I know he’s proud of me.

Walker said via Mike Dugar, Michael-Shawn of The Athletic.

Walker split his college football at Wake Forest and then Michigan State. The Seahawks picked him in the second round, and since then he’s played in 58 games, amassing 821 carries for 3,555 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns, plus 133 receptions for 1,005 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.

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