The city of Seattle is still buzzing from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX triumph, but the front office is already facing the kind of offseason puzzle that can define - or derail - a dynasty. General Manager John Schneider has a healthy $63.6 million in salary cap space to work with, the sixth-most in the league, according to Spotrac’s latest 2026 data. That kind of financial flexibility should be a dream scenario.
But here’s the thing: cap space doesn’t win championships - smart decisions do. And with a handful of major contracts looming, Seattle’s title defense is already under pressure. Let’s break down the three biggest financial hurdles standing between the Seahawks and a repeat run.
1. The Super Bowl MVP Payday: Kenneth Walker III’s Market Value Just Exploded
Kenneth Walker III didn’t just show up in the Super Bowl - he took over. The now-former second-round pick put the offense on his back and earned himself MVP honors in the biggest game of his life.
That performance didn’t just win Seattle a ring - it earned Walker a massive payday. The question now is whether that next contract comes in Seattle or somewhere else.
Walker is an unrestricted free agent, and his timing couldn’t be better - for him. For the Seahawks?
Not so much. Backup Zach Charbonnet is still rehabbing a torn ACL, which only increases Walker’s leverage.
The Seahawks are staring at a classic dilemma: pay top dollar to keep a proven playmaker at a position that’s notoriously volatile, or risk letting the heartbeat of their run game walk out the door.
Walker’s camp knows what he means to this offense. He’s not just a weapon - he’s the engine. And unless Schneider is ready to open the checkbook, the Seahawks could be looking at a very different backfield in 2026.
2. The Sam Darnold Cap Spike: From Bargain to Budget Buster
Sam Darnold’s redemption arc in Seattle was one of the most surprising storylines of the season. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, Darnold went from journeyman to Super Bowl-winning quarterback. But now comes the financial reality: his cap hit is set to jump from a manageable $13.4 million to a whopping $37.9 million in 2026.
That’s not just a raise - that’s a budget bomb. If no restructuring happens, Darnold’s deal would eat up more than half of Seattle’s available cap space. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team with multiple key free agents and holes to patch.
The Seahawks bet on Darnold and were rewarded with a title. But if they want to keep building around him, they’ll need to get creative - fast. A restructured deal, some backloaded money, maybe even an extension - whatever it takes to avoid letting one contract derail their offseason flexibility.
3. The Defensive Core Is Headed for the Open Market
Seattle’s defense was the backbone of their Super Bowl run - No. 1 in the league, fast, physical, and opportunistic. But keeping that core together? That’s going to be a challenge.
Cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Coby Bryant, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and ballhawk Rig Woolen are all set to hit free agency. And none of them are coming cheap. Bryant, in particular, is projected to command over $14 million per year - and he’s not even the only high-priority name on the list.
This is where Schneider’s cap management will be tested. Does he prioritize the secondary that locked down the Patriots in February?
Or does he try to retool on the fly with younger, cheaper talent? Either way, it’s unlikely all four players return - and that means the Seahawks’ defense could look very different come Week 1.
The Bottom Line
Seattle’s front office has done the hard part - they built a championship roster. But sustaining success in the NFL is a different beast. With a star running back due for a big payday, a quarterback contract ballooning in size, and a defensive core set to test the market, the Seahawks are facing a critical offseason.
$63.6 million in cap space gives them a fighting chance. But how Schneider navigates these next few months will determine whether Seattle is a one-year wonder - or the NFL’s next great dynasty in the making.