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Seahawks Retain Key Players, Lose Stars in Free Agency

3/11/2026

Summary

Seahawks Retain Key Players

The Seattle Seahawks re-signed cornerback Josh Jobe to three-year, $24 million, and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to three-year, $51 million deals.
The Seahawks lost running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs for $45 million and edge rusher Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals for $60 million.
General manager John Schneider prioritizes retaining internal talent rather than pursuing external free agents to build on team's Super Bowl success.

Summary

Seahawks Target Running Backs

The Seattle Seahawks hold the 32nd, 64th, and 96th picks in the draft to address running back after Kenneth Walker III's departure.
Mock drafts project Jadarian Price, a running back for Notre Dame, at the 64th pick.
Seattle has prioritized drafting running backs over free agency, with only two players receiving multi-year contracts recently.
The team could gain compensatory picks for losing players like Boye Mafe, influencing future decisions.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 NFL collective bargaining agreement transformed player contracts and free agency, allowing teams like the Seattle Seahawks to prioritize retaining talent. This shift was evident when the Seahawks signed Josh Jobe for $24 million. Following their Super Bowl victory in 2014, this strategy of focusing on internal talent has fostered team stability and competitive advantage, shaping their approach in subsequent seasons.

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Seahawks Retain Key Players

The Seattle Seahawks re-signed cornerback Josh Jobe to three-year, $24 million, and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to three-year, $51 million deals.
The Seahawks lost running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs for $45 million and edge rusher Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals for $60 million.
General manager John Schneider prioritizes retaining internal talent rather than pursuing external free agents to build on team's Super Bowl success.

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