Revealed: Behind-the-scenes rift that forced Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks star to the Chiefs
Newly signed Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III may have been angling to leave the Seattle Seahawks well before winning Super Bowl MVP last month.
Walker agreed to a three-year deal with Kansas City worth up to $45 million earlier this month.
But as reported by The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell, Walker was upset to be splitting carries with bruising back Zach Charbonnet in Seattle last season. According to Bell, Walker got 47 percent of the offensive snaps during the regular season, compared to 49 for Charbonnet, who ultimately suffered a season-ending knee injury in the playoffs.
After rushing for 135 yards in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win over the Patriots, Walker switched agents and then promptly left Seattle for Kansas City, where he’s expected to be the featured back next season.
‘It means a lot,’ Walker told reporters in Kansas City. ‘You feel appreciated and wanted — that’s what everybody wants. So I’m just happy to get in here and get to know the guys and work.’
Another issue was, naturally, money. Seahawks general manager John Schneider opted against giving Walker the franchise tag, which would have given him a $14.2 million salary for 2026.
Walker agreed to a three-year deal with Kansas City worth up to $45 million earlier this month
Walker (pictured) split carries with Charbonnet during the regular season in 2025
Seattle is now looking to add depth in the backfield after Charbonnet’s knee injury
He’ll make slightly more than that in Kansas City, which is why, Bell claimed, that Walker is now a Chief as opposed to a Seahawk.
Walker’s departure leaves Seattle with Charbonnet, who is still recovering from a torn ACL, and former Green Bay Packers backup, Emanuel Wilson.
The Seahawks could look to address their depth at running back in next month’s NFL Draft. Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love is expected to be off the board by the time Seattle picks at No. 32, but another Fighting Irish running back, the highly touted Jadarian Price, should be available in rounds 2 or even 3.
Another possibility is Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr., who ran a blazing 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in just 4.33 seconds.
As far as other free agents, former San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. is still available.
There is also a chance the New Orleans Saints will part with veteran Alvin Kamara after signing free agent Travis Etienne Jr.
