Seahawks free agent decision with Kenneth Walker III looks worse with ESPN RB ranking

The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 over the New England Patriots, and like every Super Bowl contender, the team lost a few key players in free agency.

While the Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant losses were confidently replaced, the loss of Kenneth Walker III, despite drafting Jadarian Price in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, still looms large.

Losing the Super Bowl MVP only a few months later wasn't the best look. But, with ESPN running back rankings from Jeremy Fowler, based on NFL scouts, executives, and coaches, the Seahawks letting Walker leave looks a bit worse with his top-10 ranking.

Seahawks' decision on Kenneth Walker III looks worse with top-10 RB ranking

"9. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs," Fowler shared. "... Walker appeared on nearly 60% of the ballots, with voters noting his combination of open-field vision and physicality elevating him."

Losing Walker was a tough blow for Seattle, but with this ESPN RB ranking now in mind, with those around the NFL viewing him as a top-10 RB in the league, it's hard not to feel a little worse about letting him walk.

That's especially the case now that the Seahawks running back room is a little questionable, with Price, George Holani, and Emmanuel Wilson forming an uncertain trio until Zach Charbonnet returns later in the season.

MORE: Seattle Seahawks trail only Rams and Eagles in ESPN's 2026 roster rankings

Walker left for a big deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Seahawks didn't really have a lot of money to work with due to the massive Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon contract extensions on the horizon.

But that doesn't mean the loss of Walker won't be a prevailing storyline all season, especially since those around the league view Walker as a top-10 RB.

The decision to let him walk might be a mistake, and if this RB ranking holds up, and Walker is a top-10 RB in the league, it will certainly look like a bad decision for Seattle to let their Super Bowl MVP walk out the door and join the Chiefs.

More NFL news:

• Broncos’ signing of J.K. Dobbins receives criticism from ESPN analyst
• How 49ers' problem with Brandon Aiyuk might've been solved without a trade or release
• Falcons RB Bijan Robinson ranks higher than Lions’ Jaymir Gibbs in ESPN RB rankings
• Raiders trade pitch sends Maxx Crosby to Cowboys for George Pickens
• Commanders sign former Eagles Super Bowl champion CB Rasul Douglas to free agent deal