Super Bowl LX MVP Signing New Contract with the Chiefs
Usually, the reigning Super Bowl MVP has an established long-term contract already in place, leaving no questions for the future with their team. This year is different with Kenneth Walker III winning Super Bowl LX MVP in a contract year. It was announced that both Walker and the Chiefs agreed to a deal on a new contract. This contract will hopefully excel Walker into new heights as one of the top running backs in the NFL.
K9 Settled in as ‘Beast Mode’ Successor
In Seattle’s last Super Bowl appearance, they had one of the most fearsome running games in the league led by Marshawn Lynch, a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. Many people still believe to this day that the Seahawks would’ve won their second Super Bowl by handing the ball off to Lynch on the one-yard line, but they still found their way back to the big game to win it anyways. Since Lynch’s departure in 2016, the Seahawks tried to find the right replacement for the five-time Pro Bowler. Initially, they went with the duo of Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls before committing to Chris Carson, their 2017 seventh-round pick, who looked to be the true successor to Lynch. Unfortunately for Carson, he retired after 2021 due to a neck injury he suffered. The backfield was led by Rashaad Penny and Alex Collins before the team drafted Walker in 2022. Walker quickly showed why he was considered a top-three running back prospect in the draft, eclipsing more than 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie.
Walker-Charbonnet Handcuff Led to Questionable Backfield Performance
Though Walker’s stock appeared to be on the rise after being the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year, GM John Schneider wanted some insurance. Just one year after taking Walker in the second round, the Seahawks took Zach Charbonnet in the same round, complicating the backfield usage. In 2023, Walker accounted for 1,164 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns while Charbonnet had 671 yards and just one score. Walker certainly left a good impression on the offense, but he averaged only 4.1 yards per carry to Charbonnet’s 4.3, leading to an enhanced role for the younger RB. The following season, Walker had a heavier workload when he was playing but had almost identical stats to Charbonnet due to his injury-plagued season. Walker compiled 573 rushing yards to Charbonnet’s 569 and Walker’s 872 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns trailed behind his partner’s 909 yards and nine touchdowns.
Recovery from Injury and Super Bowl MVP
The 2025 Seahawks backfield eventually became meme’d to death due to the Walker-Charbonnet handcuff. With Walker constantly being subbed out after making big runs to get Seattle in scoring position, head coach Mike MacDonald would always sub in Charbonnet to secure the touchdown. This became aggravating for bettors and fantasy football managers alike; however, from the coach’s perspective, he wants to keep his lead back healthy coming off a season where he missed six games. This ended up being fruitful for Walker, who had fresh legs going into the playoffs. In the Divisional Round against the 49ers, Walker exploded for 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns, heavily contributing to the 41-6 whalloping that the Seahawks gave their NFC West rival. That game shined an additional spotlight on Walker because it was reported that Charbonnet tore his ACL in that game, leaving Walker as the uncontested lead back in the playoff run. The 25-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee didn’t disappoint on the biggest stage of them all. Walker’s 135 rushing yards sit eighth all-time in Super Bowl history while his 161 scrimmage yards rank at 10th.
