Kenneth Walker III’s Super Bowl Surge Could Price Him Out of Jets’ Reach
As the New York Jets front office watches Super Bowl LX unfold, there’s no doubt they’re taking notes-not just on scheme or coaching tendencies, but on potential targets who could reshape their roster in 2026. One name that’s likely circled in bold is Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.
Walker has been a force in Seattle’s backfield, and with free agency looming, his performance on the game’s biggest stage is turning heads across the league. For the Jets, who are facing uncertainty with Breece Hall, Walker’s name has emerged as a potential solution-at least in theory.
Let’s start with the Hall situation. He’s been productive, no question.
But whispers around the league suggest Hall may be looking for a fresh start. If that scenario plays out, the Jets will need to pivot quickly.
And on paper, Walker fits the bill: a tough, explosive runner who can carry the load and set the tone for a ground-heavy offense.
But here’s the catch-Walker is running his way into a serious payday.
In the first half of Super Bowl LX, Walker has already eclipsed 90 rushing yards. And these aren’t just empty yards.
He’s churning out tough gains against a Patriots defense that’s made life miserable for Sam Darnold and the Seahawks' passing game. While Darnold has struggled to find rhythm, Walker has been the engine keeping Seattle’s offense moving.
Every carry, every broken tackle, every first down is adding zeroes to his next contract. And while the Jets have cap space to play with, they’ll need to weigh whether Walker’s rising price tag aligns with their long-term plans-especially as new head coach Aaron Glenn looks to reshape the team’s identity.
Tagging Hall is one option, but it comes with baggage. Not only would it lock the Jets into paying him at a top-tier rate, but it would also tie them to another piece of the Robert Saleh era. Glenn may want to put his own stamp on the roster, and that could mean a clean break at the running back position.
Meanwhile, Walker’s value has skyrocketed in part because of what he’s done in the absence of Zach Charbonnet. With Charbonnet sidelined during the playoffs, Walker has stepped up in a big way, proving he can be the lead back in a high-stakes environment. That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed-not by fans, not by front offices, and certainly not by agents.
If Walker ends up out of reach, the Jets will still have options. Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne brings speed and versatility, while Carolina’s Rico Dowdle offers a more physical, downhill style. Both could fit within Glenn’s vision of a run-first offense that controls the clock and sets up play-action.
Still, it’s hard to ignore what Walker is doing right now. He’s looking every bit the next great Seahawks running back, following in the footsteps of Marshawn Lynch and Shaun Alexander. The Jets might’ve hoped he’d be their answer in the backfield, but the reality is, he may be playing himself into a deal that New York simply can’t-or won’t-match.
So while Jets fans might be dreaming of Walker in green and white, the truth is, that dream may already be slipping away.