Kenneth Walker III secures Super Bowl MVP, the first running back in 28 years to achieve the honor

Super Bowl Showdown

In a memorable Super Bowl showdown this past Sunday, Kenneth Walker III played a pivotal role in leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots, earning him the coveted Super Bowl MVP title—an honor last awarded to a running back nearly three decades ago.

Remarkable Postseason Performance

The Seahawks’ championship triumph marked the end of a remarkable postseason for Walker, who showcased his exceptional talent with a total of 135 rushing yards and an additional 26 receiving yards, making it his third consecutive playoff game surpassing 100 yards from scrimmage. Remarkably, he became the first running back since Terrell Davis in 1998 to achieve MVP status in the Super Bowl, demonstrating his ability to shine on football’s biggest stage.

Stepping Up for the Team

Walker’s stellar performance came at a critical juncture for the Seahawks, especially following the season-ending injury of fellow running back Zach Charbonnet. The unfortunate incident put pressure on Walker, but it allowed him to step up as the team’s primary offensive weapon just as the playoffs began.

Future Prospects

At 25 years old, Walker finds himself in the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to enter free agency in 2026. His extraordinary playoff performance positions him for a considerable salary increase in the upcoming offseason. Throughout Seattle’s playoff run, Walker accumulated 413 yards from scrimmage and made history by being the first player to exceed 100 yards in every playoff game for a championship team since Terrell Davis achieved the feat in the late ’90s.

Increased Responsibilities

Throughout the regular season, Walker shared responsibilities with Charbonnet, limiting his touch count to under 15 per game. However, this strategy enabled him to maintain his energy and effectiveness, culminating in a substantial increase to nearly 25 touches per game during the playoffs. This shift demonstrated his capacity to take on a leading role in the Seahawks’ offense when it mattered most.

Memorable Moments

The final game highlighted Walker’s explosive start on the first play, where he recorded a 10-yard run, and notably contributed 55 rushing yards on a drive that resulted in a field goal—the most gained by any player on a single Super Bowl drive in the past two decades. With these performances, Kenneth Walker III is not only solidifying his legacy but also significantly impacting his future in the NFL.

AP NFL