Overview of the main storylines of the upcoming NFL free-agency period, including the futures of stars like Kenneth Walker, projections for the reigning Seattle Seahawks’ roster, and rumors of a blockbuster trade involving Myles Garrett.
Kenneth Walker’s future and other top questions of the upcoming NFL free-agent market
On the eve of one of the liveliest stretches in the NFL calendar—the free-agency window—teams are feverishly assessing needs and cap space to fortify their rosters. While last season’s runs by the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots show that smart investments can transform a franchise, the league’s history is also full of costly misfires. With negotiation talks beginning Monday at 12:00 p.m. ET and the official signing period opening Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., experts and fans are speculating about the key storylines that could reshape the balance of power.
One central question is the future of running back Kenneth Walker III, the most valuable player from the most recent Super Bowl. After rushing for 135 yards in the Seahawks’ win over the Patriots, he’s expected to command the largest contract among free-agent running backs. Potential suitors mentioned include the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. But this year’s running-back market is crowded: besides Walker, free agents include Travis Etienne, Rachaad White, Tyler Allgeier, Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, Brian Robinson and Najee Harris. The financial landscape for deals expanded after the league increased the salary cap last week to $301.2 million—$22 million higher than last year. According to Spotrac.com, the Los Angeles Chargers currently have the most cap space at $99.5 million, followed by the Tennessee Titans ($89.3M), Las Vegas Raiders ($84.7M), Washington Commanders ($83.3M) and New York Jets ($73.8M). The champions, the Seattle Seahawks, have $60.7 million available.
The quarterback market is among the most intriguing. Stars like Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray will officially become free agents only after their current clubs release them next week, but they are already considered top-tier names in the available pool. Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has not announced whether he will play next season, but if he returns, he would generate huge interest—especially after helping the Pittsburgh Steelers win the division. As noted in his piece for Seattle Sports, if the Miami Dolphins part ways with Tua Tagovailoa, he could be an interesting option, especially with the possibility of signing on a veterans’ minimum. Malik Willis could receive a lucrative offer from a team that sees him as a long-term leader, while Russell Wilson will be hunting for his fourth team in four years.
Teams are also focused on acquiring effective pass rushers—players who specialize in pressuring the opposing quarterback. Trey Hendrickson, an All-Pro in 2024, notched 17.5 sacks for two straight seasons before injuries limited him to seven games last year, and he is expected to draw heavy interest. Other top names at the position include Jalen Phillips, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson. Three-time All-Pro Khalil Mack just turned 35 but remains a threat to quarterbacks. At wide receiver, the big question centers on Mike Evans. The six-time Pro Bowler is a free agent for the first time in his career, and it’s quite possible he’ll play his 13th season with a new team. He’s looking for a contender with an experienced quarterback and would fit teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Patriots or Chargers. Alec Pierce, who led the league in yards per reception over the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, turns just 26 in May, making him one of the most sought-after players. Thus, the upcoming week of negotiations and signings promises to be incredibly busy and could set the league’s contours for the season ahead.
Which free agents will remain with the Seattle Seahawks? Insider predictions
The newly crowned Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, face tough offseason choices. Six starting-caliber players are set to hit free agency, and the question of who the club can retain versus who will likely depart is central. NFL Network insider Gregg Rosenthal shared his take on the situation on the Bump and Stacy show on Seattle Sports, and his analysis sheds light on likely scenarios.
Overall, cornerback Josh Jobe and safety Kobe Bryant are viewed as the most likely of the six key free agents to be re-signed. Both became important pieces of Mike Macdonald’s defense, which was the league’s best in points allowed per game last season. Their projected price is roughly $10 million per year, making them relatively affordable to keep. Jobe, a former practice-squad player, posted impressive numbers, allowing one of the lowest opponent completion percentages (49.5%). Bryant, who converted from cornerback to safety, emerged as an interception-maker with four picks on the season. Rosenthal noted that he heard at the NFL combine how highly the club values Jobe and suggested both defenders will return, providing continuity in the secondary—crucial for Macdonald’s scheme.
The outlook is different for return specialist and receiver Rashid Shaheed. His market value is projected around $13–14 million per year, which likely makes him too expensive for the Seahawks. As Adam Schefter reported for ESPN, the sides are far from a deal, and the player will likely test the open market. Acquired from the New Orleans Saints in November, Shaheed became a game-changer on special teams, scoring multiple return touchdowns, including a pivotal 58-yard return in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. While his contributions as a receiver were modest, his ability to stretch defenses and impact games is unique. Rosenthal believes Shaheed will land a good contract, but not in Seattle, since the club may be unwilling to pay a premium for a player who isn’t a consistent part of the base offensive scheme.
The most intriguing case is pass rusher Boye Mafe. Many assume his market price will exceed what the Seahawks can afford, especially given a drop in sack totals over the last two seasons. However, Rosenthal offers a different perspective. Considering veteran Uchenna Nwosu could be a cap casualty, the Seahawks might pay a “small premium” to retain Mafe. Despite modest sack numbers (just 2.0 in the 2025 season), Mafe shows high-quality play. He ranked eighth among pass rushers by ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric and has strong grades in run defense. Rosenthal stresses that sacks don’t always reflect a player’s impact on the field. In modern NFL defenses, deep rotations at pass-rusher are valued, and even if Mafe isn’t a marquee star, his contribution across 500–700 snaps a season can be extremely valuable. The key issue is price: are the Seahawks willing to compete with other clubs that could offer him $15+ million per year?
Rosenthal’s main insight is that the Seahawks will likely aim to retain the core of their top defense (Jobe and Bryant), while costly specialized pieces (Shaheed) or players with uncertain production (Mafe) may find new teams. Mafe’s fate is tied to Nwosu’s status and the club’s broader cap-management strategy. Losing Shaheed would be a blow to explosive playmaking, but it may be a luxury the champions can’t afford under strict cap constraints. Ultimately, the approaching free-agency window will test how the Seahawks balance keeping a championship roster with financial discipline to remain competitive long-term.
Trading for Myles Garrett could create a Seattle Seahawks dynasty
The NFL world is buzzing after the blockbuster trade that sent Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. That deal, for which the Ravens gave up two first-round picks, could open the door to even larger moves. The next team capable of such a step might be the Seattle Seahawks, who are reportedly targeting Cleveland Browns superstar and last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett.
As Gary Davenport writes for Bleacher Report, the Seahawks have roughly $58.1 million in cap space (sixth-most in the league), giving them the financial flexibility to absorb Garrett’s contract. Also, Seattle will be selecting near the end of the first round in the 2026 draft and likely won’t be moving up in 2027 if they acquire a player of Garrett’s caliber. Davenport’s proposed deal: the Seahawks send their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 plus a third-round pick next year to Cleveland in exchange for Garrett, who has five years remaining on his contract. It would be one of the biggest trades in NFL history, but Seattle would land perhaps the best defensive player of his generation.
Pairing Garrett on the defensive line with existing veteran Leonard Williams would form one of the most fearsome duos in the league, striking dread into opponents. Seattle’s defense was already among the best, and adding a talent of Garrett’s magnitude would wreak havoc on opposing offensive schemes. Such a move could thrust the Seahawks into dynasty conversations—especially with another Super Bowl—and draw parallels to the Golden State Warriors of the 2010s, the early-2000s New England Patriots, or the late-1990s New York Yankees. The trade would seem almost unfair to the rest of the league, which is why Seahawks general manager John Schneider should at least attempt it, as argued in Sports Illustrated’s analysis.
For clarity: a pass rusher is a defensive player whose main task is to sack the opposing quarterback before he can throw. The salary cap is a strict limit on a team’s total payroll, designed to maintain competitive balance. Trading draft picks is common in the NFL—teams can trade rights to select players in future drafts. Acquiring a player of Myles Garrett’s stature—the reigning Defensive Player of the Year—is an instant and dramatic upgrade that could shift conference power and make the Seahawks top title favorites.
