Seahawks Let Super Bowl MVP Walk For $45M Deal As ESPN Calls It NFL’s Biggest Free-Agency Bust

Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III stunned the NFL world by agreeing to a three-year, up-to-$45 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs nearly a month after helping the Seattle Seahawks capture the Lombardi Trophy. The deal, reported as the most lucrative ever for a running back in free agency, came less than five weeks after Walker’s 161-yard, MVP performance in Seattle’s 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. His departure leaves the Seahawks scrambling to replace their offensive cornerstone.

Monken Hired to Lead Browns Rebuild

The Cleveland Browns moved quickly to reshape their franchise, announcing on January 28 that former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken would become the team’s next head coach. Monken, who turns 60 in February, signed a five-year agreement after a season in which Cleveland finished 5-12. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam praised him as an outstanding leader with a clear vision, a detail-oriented style, and a proven record of developing quarterbacks and offensive systems.

Seahawks Lose Key Free Agents

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler noted that Seattle entered free agency with six key players set to hit the market but retained only Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe. “The Seahawks. They had six key free agents and lost four of them, retaining Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Josh Jobe,” Fowler said. He called the departures a calculated step back, saying Seattle would reload via draft picks and compensatory selections while budgeting for a potential megadeal for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The losses thin the roster but fit a longer-term rebuilding strategy.

Moody Questions Backfield Moves

ESPN fantasy football expert Eric Moody questioned the Seahawks’ decision to sign running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal, arguing it adds depth but fails to address the larger issue left by Walker’s exit. “The Seahawks signing running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal. It adds depth, but it doesn’t solve their bigger problem in the backfield,” Moody wrote. He pointed out that backup Zach Charbonnet is coming off a major injury, leaving Seattle without a clear short-term solution at running back.

Maldonado Warns Defensive Losses

ESPN sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado lamented the loss of Walker’s explosiveness, the absence of pass-rusher Boye Mafe from the rotation and the depletion of the secondary with cornerback Tariq Woolen and safety Coby Bryant gone. “Walker’s explosiveness is gone from Seattle, Boye Mafe is missing from the pass-rush rotation and the secondary lost Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant. None of those moves breaks the team, but they collectively thin out the Seahawks’ depth,” she said. Maldonado advised Seattle to sign another edge rusher to keep Macdonald’s defensive front rotating fresh.

Seahawks’ Compensatory Picks and Draft Outlook

Despite the losses, Seattle retains a pathway to reload through the 2026 NFL Draft and a set of compensatory picks awarded for the departed free agents. Fowler noted that the Seahawks must also earmark funds for a potential megadeal to extend wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose current contract is set to expire after the upcoming season. Balancing immediate needs with long-term investments will be a key test for general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald.

Browns’ Offensive Vision Under Monken

In Cleveland, Monken brings more than three decades of coaching experience, including three seasons as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator where he worked alongside Lamar Jackson, contributing to the quarterback’s continued MVP-caliber development. His prior stint as head coach at Southern Mississippi from 2013 to 2015 also showcased his ability to build competitive programs from scratch. Browns officials say Monken’s direct, detail-oriented approach will inject discipline and creativity into an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in 2025.

Walker’s Chiefs Deal Sets Market

Kenneth Walker III’s agreement with the Chiefs not only rewards his Super Bowl MVP performance but also reshapes the running-back market. Reports indicate the three-year, up-to-$45 million deal includes significant guarantees and performance incentives, making it the richest contract ever awarded to a running back in free agency. The move signals Kansas City’s intent to pair Walker with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a potent dual-threat backfield.

Seahawks’ Path Forward

Looking ahead, the Seahawks face a critical offseason: they must find a reliable running back to complement the recovering Zach Charbonnet, address the pass-rush void left by Boye Mafe, and shore up a secondary missing Tariq Woolen and Bryant. While Moody questions the Wilson signing, Maldonado urges adding an edge rusher, and Fowler sees draft capital as the primary reload tool. How Seattle balances these moves will define whether the step back is a temporary setback or the start of a new era.

NFL Offseason Moves Shape 2026 Landscape

The early 2026 NFL offseason already illustrates how quickly fortunes can shift. Todd Monken’s arrival in Cleveland promises a fresh offensive identity for a franchise seeking stability, while Kenneth Walker III’s historic contract with the Chiefs underscores the premium placed on elite running-back talent. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ series of losses, highlighted by Fowler and Maldonado as the biggest step back, serves as a reminder that even Super Bowl contenders must continually adapt to retain competitiveness in a league where every decision reverberates for years to come.