The Seattle Seahawks will not use their franchise tag on Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III, league sources confirmed. With $14.5 million required to tag a running back, the prohibitive cost makes the move unlikely amid Super Bowl tax complications. Walker becomes an unrestricted free agent this March after playing this season on a salary cap number of just under $2.7 million.

Walker earned MVP honors in Super Bowl LX by rushing for 135 yards and catching two passes for 26 yards in the victory. During the regular season, he accumulated 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns while splitting carries with Zach Charbonnet. After Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL, Walker emerged as the lead back, posting 417 scrimmage yards during the postseason.

The Seahawks, under general manager John Schneider, have only used the franchise tag twice in 16 seasons. With multiple free agents to retain and a desire to extend wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle faces salary cap challenges. Walker's departure would create a significant void in the backfield unless the team can negotiate a new contract before free agency begins.