Seahawks get big $14.5M franchise tag update on Kenneth Walker III amid team history

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a major decision this offseason on a lot of outgoing free agents. Tariq Woolen, Josh Jobe, Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant, and Kenneth Walker III are the headliners.

Of these five free agents, Walker is the most interesting. Coming off winning Super Bowl MVP, it's hard to see Seattle letting him go this offseason. To make sure he doesn't leave, the Seahawks could use the franchise tag.

But, will they make such a decision? ESPN's Brady Henderson indicates that the Seahawks, despite a desire to retain Walker, are not expected to tag him this offseason. It's not zero percent yet, but team history indicates such a move won't happen this offseason.

Seahawks team history doesn't bode well for a Kenneth Walker franchise tag

"They've used the franchise tag twice in 16 seasons under GM John Schneider - once on a kicker (Olindo Mare) and another time on a linebacker (Frank Clark) who they then traded," Henderson writes.

In the 16 years of running the team, John Schneider has used the franchise tag twice. It's incredibly unlikely the tag will be used based on team history.

But that doesn't mean that the tag won't be used on Walker this offseason. "Schneider doesn't like to use it, and history - as well as the projected $14.5 million price tag for running backs - suggest he won't this year. But we'll at least account for the possibility."

The Seahawks GM isn't likely to use the franchise tag, but this might be one of the rare instances in which using it would make a lot of sense.

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Walker, the playoff hero who had 313 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 65 attempts in three games, is someone the Seahawks should re-sign this offseason.

Letting him go to sign with a new team, after leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl and winning Super Bowl 60 MVP, would be hard to fathom.

But, based on history, if the Seahawks cannot agree to an extension with him before free agency opens up, Walker is likely to field significant interest, and might leave as the Seahawks aren't likely to franchise tag him.

Seattle isn't likely to use the franchise tag, worth $14.5 million, on Walker this offseason. He'd be at greater risk of leaving if that holds, which would be a disaster for the Seahawks this offseason.

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