Seahawks shift focus to free agency after Super Bowl win and Walker buzz

TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Feb 25, 2026, 22:32 IST

Image credit : AP

Fresh off their Super Bowl 60 victory, the Seattle Seahawks have quickly shifted from celebration mode to offseason preparation. General manager John Schneider said the “instant reset” came just days after the championship parade, as the front office moved directly into draft meetings and free agency planning. At the NFL scouting combine, Schneider addressed online buzz surrounding running back Kenneth Walker III after joking during the parade that Walker had tried to negotiate a new contract. Walker later denied the claim on Instagram, and Schneider clarified he was kidding, adding that the team would love to keep him. Walker, 25, is coming off a dominant Super Bowl MVP performance with 135 rushing yards in the win over New England and is now entering free agency. With several other key players also nearing free agency, Seattle faces difficult roster decisions as it looks to defend its title.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after a win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Seattle Seahawks are back to work just weeks after winning Super Bowl 60, and general manager John Schneider is already focused on what comes next. After the championship parade and celebrations, there was no long break. The front office quickly shifted to draft meetings and preparation for free agency.

Schneider said the feeling of winning was special, but it did not last long because the job never stops. “Instant reset,” he said while speaking at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. He explained that the team was in draft meetings just days after lifting the trophy. He also praised his staff for handling most of the early work while he caught up.

One topic that followed him to the combine was Kenneth Walker III. During the Seahawks’ Super Bowl parade in Seattle, Schneider joked to the crowd that Walker tried to negotiate a new contract with him minutes earlier. The comment created buzz online. Walker later posted on Instagram denying that any such talk happened.

Schneider later admitted he was joking and said he got nervous speaking in front of the huge crowd. “We’d love to keep him,” Schneider told USA TODAY Sports when asked about Walker’s future.

Walker had a huge performance in the Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. He rushed for 135 yards and added 26 receiving yards in the 29-13 victory. His effort earned him Super Bowl MVP honors, making him the first running back to win the award since Terrell Davis in 1998.

Now the Seahawks face a big decision. Walker is set to enter free agency, and the running back market can be tough to predict. He is 25 and coming off the best season of his career. Seattle also has other key players headed toward free agency, including Rashid Shaheed, Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe.

Schneider said contract talks with Walker are just beginning and that this week is important for understanding the market. The Seahawks want to keep as many of their core players as possible, but it will not be easy.

For now, the celebration is over. The champions are already planning their next move.

Seahawks shift focus to free agency after Super Bowl win and Walker buzz

Tags: