The 2025 NFL Playoffs were the first postseason since 1998 to not feature Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Mahomes, experienced a drop-off and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 despite entering the season with high expectations as three-time defending champions.
The Chiefs finished the regular season with a 6–11 record, placing third in the AFC West. General manager Brett Veach has made it clear that the team intends to return to contention next season, and they did so in shocking fashion by acquiring the 2026 Super Bowl MVP.
The Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks were looking to repeat in the 2026 season, but their chances took a hit after Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Walker agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with Kansas City, with $28.7 million fully guaranteed.
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The running back’s future in Seattle had been a major talking point for the Seahawks heading into free agency. Walker is coming off a sensational 2025 campaign, highlighted by a season-high 135 rushing yards in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots last month. Seattle could have kept him for another season by using the franchise tag, but the reigning champions chose not to do so.
Walker III is now entering a new chapter in Kansas City, and one of the first people to welcome him was Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes who quoted the running back's X post confirming his new team.
Fans thought the three-time MVP has a new weapon at his disposal.
"WE FINALLY GOT YOU A GOOD RB 😭🔥", a comment from Mahomes' X post reads.
"QB1 is ecstatic. I hope his rehab is going smoothly," wrote another.
As for the Seahawks, they did lose a weapon and it's time for them to look for a replacement to be in the same level as they were last season. Zachariah Charbonnet, recovering from an ACL surgery last month, can take over as their RB1 although they can also choose to sign a win-now type of veteran from the market.
Among the names being attached to the Seahawks are free agents Tyler Allgeier of the Atlanta Falcons and Rachaad White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
