How Jaxon Smith-Njigba could stop Seahawks from re-signing Kenneth Walker

This offseason will be a big one for the Seattle Seahawks. While their Super Bowl 60 outcome will have a role, the team still has a lot of free agents to make decisions on.

None might take center stage more than running back Kenneth Walker. Across two playoff games, he's been a star for Seattle. His future with the team is in question, and a new report isn't helping the odds of a reunion.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, Walker's future might be in greater jeopardy due to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. Why? Well, those two will need huge extensions, and are much bigger priorities than Walker.

Seahawks to face Kenneth Walker problem due to JSN, Witherspoon

"He (Walker) could be of interest to teams in free agency," Graziano writes, "and it's fair to wonder if he could price himself out of Seattle's future as the Seahawks look ahead to big-money extensions for players at premium positions, such as wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon."

This point from Graziano is a very relevant one. The Seahawks will have a lot of money tied up in players if they re-sign everyone, or even just a few free agents, this offseason.

Walker isn't the only free agent, as Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, Boye Mafe, Rashid Shaheed, Dareke Young, Chazz Surratt, Josh Jones, and Jose Jobe are all free agents.

More: Why Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez is Super Bowl's biggest matchup per ESPN

Tough decisions will be made this offseason, and the looming massive extensions for Witherspoon and JSN will play a huge role in how the Seahawks act this offseason.

Extending JSN and Witherspoon is a must, and both will be among the most expensive players at their respective positions, meaning contracts well north of $30 million AAV for Smith-Njigba, and $25 million for Witherspoon.

With running back being a much easier-to-replace position, the Seahawks, as Graziano notes, might let Walker walk to find a cheap replacement due to the looming massive deals for their top WR and CB.

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