Four Seahawks Who Could Be Playing Their Final Game with the Team in Super Bowl LX
The Seattle Seahawks are one win away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for just the second time in franchise history. And they’ve done it in a way few saw coming.
After trading away Geno Smith and DK Metcalf in the offseason and handing the reins to Sam Darnold, expectations were modest at best. But under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle has flipped the script and is now 60 minutes from NFL immortality.
But as is always the case in this league, success comes with a price. The Seahawks are young and talented, but several key contributors are nearing the end of their rookie contracts.
That means tough decisions are coming. Seattle can’t keep everyone - and a Super Bowl win only boosts the market value of players about to hit free agency.
Let’s take a closer look at four Seahawks who could be suiting up in navy and action green for the final time in Super Bowl LX.
Kenneth Walker III - Running Back
Kenneth Walker III has made the most of the spotlight this postseason, and in doing so, he’s likely made himself a lot of money. The talent has never been in question - his burst, vision, and ability to break tackles are among the best in the league.
But the knock on Walker had always been durability. This season, he put that concern to bed by staying healthy and delivering consistent production from start to finish.
That’s huge for a running back heading into a contract year. And while the market for running backs has cooled in recent years, Walker’s timing couldn’t be better. He’s proven he can carry the load, and with Zach Charbonnet sidelined by an ACL tear in the Divisional Round, Seattle would be rolling the dice by letting Walker walk.
The good news? Walker likely won’t command a Christian McCaffrey-sized deal.
If his number hovers around $8-10 million per year, Seattle has the cap flexibility to make that work. Given his fit in this offense and the uncertainty behind him, keeping Walker should be a priority.
Boye Mafe - Edge Rusher
Boye Mafe is one of the more intriguing cases on this roster. Statistically, it wasn’t a flashy season - the sack numbers dipped, and casual observers might think he regressed. But dig deeper, and a different story emerges.
According to ESPN, Mafe ranked eighth in pass-rush win rate among all edge rushers this season. That tells us he was consistently beating his man off the edge, even if it didn’t always result in a sack.
Sometimes that pressure forced quarterbacks into hurried throws or into the arms of another defender. In Mike Macdonald’s scheme, that kind of disruption is gold.
Still, Mafe hasn’t yet posted a double-digit sack season, and that could temper his market value. He may be best suited as part of a rotation - a high-level contributor who doesn’t have to carry the pass rush alone. That could work in Seattle’s favor if they want to bring him back on a team-friendly deal.
But make no mistake - Mafe is a key piece of this defense. If the price is right, the Seahawks would be wise to keep him in the fold.
Riq Woolen - Cornerback
Riq Woolen might be the biggest wild card of the bunch. Physically, he’s a prototype - 6'4", blazing speed, and the kind of athleticism that makes scouts drool. But the mental side of the game has been more of a rollercoaster.
Woolen’s raw ability is undeniable, but his discipline has raised eyebrows. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the NFC Championship nearly gave the Rams new life, and it wasn’t an isolated incident.
There’s been a pattern: penalties followed by lapses in coverage. It happened in Week 1 against San Francisco and again in big moments later in the year.
That kind of volatility can be tough to manage, especially in a secondary that relies on cohesion and trust. The Seahawks have to decide whether Woolen’s upside outweighs the inconsistency. With his rookie deal winding down, they’ll need to either recommit or look elsewhere - possibly in the draft or free agency - for a more stable presence at corner.
Cooper Kupp - Wide Receiver
Cooper Kupp’s situation is a little different. He’s under contract for two more years, and there’s no sign the Seahawks plan to move on. But Kupp’s future might be in his own hands.
At 33 years old heading into next season, Kupp isn’t the same player who once led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. But what he brings to the locker room - leadership, experience, and a championship mindset - is invaluable to a young team on the rise.
And here’s the twist: Kupp is a Washington native. If Seattle wins the Super Bowl, it’s not out of the question that he could decide to ride off into the sunset.
Going out on top, in your home state, with a ring on your finger? That’s the kind of ending most players only dream about.
Whether he stays or steps away, Kupp’s impact on this team in 2025 and beyond will be felt - either as a steadying veteran presence or as a leader whose legacy helped build something lasting.
Final Thoughts
Super Bowl LX could be the end of an era for a handful of Seahawks - even if that era only just began. That’s the nature of the NFL. Rosters evolve, players move on, and front offices are forced to make tough calls.
But before any decisions are made, there’s still one game to play. One more shot at glory. And for Kenneth Walker III, Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Cooper Kupp, it could be their final act in Seattle - a chance to walk off the field not just as champions, but as legends.