Why Seahawks may lose Kenneth Walker III
In the same ESPN story, Dan Graziano noted Walker is “generating enough interest to spell the end of his time in Seattle.”
Walker’s value has skyrocketed after becoming the first RB since Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis to win Super Bowl MVP. During Seattle’s 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the 2022 second-round pick ran for 135 yards on 27 carries.
That capped off a career year for the RB, who turns 26 on Oct. 20. In 2025, Walker ranked 16th in the NFL in rushing yards (1,027) during the regular season and had the most rushing yards during the postseason (313).
Spotrac estimates his market value at a four-year deal worth $9M annually, but he could receive more after fellow RB Javonte Williams signed a three-year, $24M contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Plenty of teams (Denver Broncos, Houston Texans) will be willing to offer him the big bucks when free agency starts on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Montgomery — who turns 29 on June 7 — would be a solid replacement for Walker. The Lions star split carries with Gibbs again last season, but ran for 716 yards on 158 carries and tied for 13th in the league in rushing touchdowns (eight).
Can Lions manage without David Montgomery?
Montgomery leaving Detroit would be a bummer for Gibbs, who has said, “Of course I want David back.”
It’s apparent, though, that Gibbs can handle flying solo. In 2025, he ranked fifth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,839, 1,223 rushing and 616 receiving) and second in TDs (18, 13 rushing and five receiving). For his efforts, the 2023 first-round pick earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
If the Lions do ship the RB elsewhere, they will no longer be able to sell Sonic and Knuckles-inspired merchandise in their team store. That said, Detroit can take solace in knowing it has a budding star in Gibbs, who may kick it into turbo mode in 2026 if he’s no longer sharing a backfield with Montgomery.