Seahawks lining up $27m Kenneth Walker replacement with Super Bowl MVP eyed to take beloved rookie’s job

Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is a target for the New York Giants.

Fresh off helping the Seattle Seahawks win in San Francisco with 161 total yards, the running back is in demand.

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The Athletic’s Dan Duggan says new Giants head coach John Harbaugh is looking to add an elite backfield option.

A void left by Saquon Barkley was briefly filled by rookie sensation Cam Skattebo in 2025.

His performances and personality quickly enshrined the youngster as a fan favorite, but an aggressive running style raised concerns and he picked up a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery in Week 8.

Walker is a home-run threat on any play and the 25-year-old is expected to land an annual salary of around $12 million, which could price out Seattle.

John Harbaugh leads change in direction for Giants

Giants general manager Joe Schoen moved away from paying at running back with the decision to let Barkley walk.

But his authority has been diminished since Harbaugh arrived in what appears to be a U-turn for the Giants in targeting the top free agent running back of the offseason.

New York also met with Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

The No. 5 pick is in the Giants’ possession and they could take a swing on the elite prospect, who ran a blazing 3.36-second 40 at the Combine.

Seattle has been linked with Detroit Lions halfback David Montgomery — one half of the iconic Sonic & Knuckles partnership in Motor City.

“At running back, the Lions’ David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28,” wrote ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano. “That has value.

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“Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return. Seattle makes sense here if it can’t re-sign Kenneth Walker III.”

The snippet was shared on the Underdog NFL X account, which had a reply from the RB himself.

“Damn, Dmo told you that?” he wrote.

Montgomery has not posted on the platform since March 2024, so he was clearly motivated to shut down the claim.

But Fowler and Graziano are well connected so their word carries weight.

Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed a lethal partnership but the 28-year-old’s role has decreased as his teammate establishes himself as one of the most dynamic backfield threats in the NFL.

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The Lions are around $12 million over the cap and could free up $3.5 by trading Montgomery, who has around $27 million in career earnings, post June 1.

Mike Washington Jr. is another RB to monitor in drafts after a position-leading 4.33-second 40 in Indianapolis at 228 pounds.

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