NFL Trade Rumors: New York Giants interested in $36M Seattle Seahawks running back

NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that the Seattle Seahawks are not expected to franchise tag Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. He is poised to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year opens on Wednesday, March 11. This gives a green signal to a franchise hungry to improve its run game: the New York Giants.

The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports that New York has two cheap, productive running backs on the roster: Cam Skattebo, who may be seen as a complementary back, and Tyrone Tracy Jr., who was not pictured as the number one back either, despite playing that role for the first two seasons.

Despite Giants GM Joe Schoen’s “no regrets” stance over losing RB Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles, where Barkley subsequently won a Super Bowl, the franchise is now reportedly interested in acquiring Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.

Walker, too, won a Super Bowl for the Seahawks. So, he’s projected to earn the biggest contract for any running back on the market.

According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, the 25-year-old Wake Forest alumnus is expected sign a four-year contract worth $36 million, which averages his annual salary to $9 million.

Now, according to Duggan, the Giants seem unlikely to be a top bidder for the top back, but the position is under their radar for investment, given their head coach, Harbaugh, is building a run-heavy offense for their 2026 campaign.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano report the running back is generating a lot of outside interest to “spell the end of his time in Seattle.”

NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry reports that Seattle is expecting to lose him [no franchise tag makes it certain now]. Berry said that they love him, but because of other team’s needs, they are not willing to pay top dollar for him.

Someone told Berry that the Seahawks’ attitude is: Walker goes out there and tests the market. If someone pays $12 to $13 million, then good for him. But if the market is around $10 million, then he can come back and talk to them.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported something he heard about the Giants at the 2026 NFL Combine: They’re looking for top running backs, both in the draft and free agency.

Players like Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne, and Seattle Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker III. There seems to be a clear focus on becoming a more physical run-heavy team [courtesy: Baltimore Ravens’ longstanding head coach John Harbaugh].

PFF’s Sam Robinson reports that Walker is reaching free agency, and there’s mutual interest between him and his franchise. But they will lose exclusive negotiating rights at 11 AM CT on March 9, when the legal tampering period begins. New York has Skattebo signed through season 2027, and Tracy Jr.’s rookie deal ends after 2026.

Robinson also wrote that Harbaugh is calling the shots, with new hire Dawn Aponte reporting directly to the head coach.

Perhaps Harbaugh will need an elite running back on his new team, someone like the Ravens’ Derrick Henry. And as free agency would have it, some analysts and rumors are pointing towards Kenneth Walker III.