— In Santa Clara, Calif., Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LX after Seattle defeated the New England Patriots 29-13. Walker rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries and added 26 receiving yards on two catches, anchoring a game in which he produced more offense than the entire Patriots team in the first half. The victory delivered the franchise its second Lombardi Trophy and marked the first time a running back won Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis after the 1997 season.
Key takeaways
- Kenneth Walker III was awarded Super Bowl LX MVP after a 29-13 Seahawks win over the New England Patriots on Feb. 8, 2026.
- Walker finished with 135 rushing yards on 27 carries and 26 receiving yards on two catches; his 135 rushing yards are the most in a Super Bowl since Terrell Davis.
- He gained 94 yards on 14 carries in the first half, the second-highest opening-half Super Bowl total; Timmy Smith had 131 in the first half of Super Bowl XXII.
- Walker produced runs of 29 and 30 yards within a three-play span and became the third player ever with multiple rushes of 25-plus yards in a single Super Bowl.
- His 313 rushing yards for the 2025–26 postseason left him two yards shy of Marshawn Lynch’s Seahawks postseason record of 318 (2014).
- Walker took on a lead role late in the season after teammate Zach Charbonnet tore an ACL in the divisional round against San Francisco.
- The 23-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent in March after playing the final season of his rookie contract with a salary cap number just under $2.7 million.
Background
The weeks leading into Super Bowl LX were dominated by quarterback narratives, with much of the press attention focused on signal-callers and top receiving talents. Seattle’s ground game, which had been a committee for much of the regular season, emerged as its most dependable weapon in the postseason after Zach Charbonnet’s injury. Kenneth Walker III, who split snaps with Charbonnet during the year, stepped into the primary role and delivered sustained production across three playoff games.
Historically, running backs have rarely taken home Super Bowl MVP honors; the last to do so was Terrell Davis following the 1997 season. The Seahawks’ offensive identity has fluctuated between run and pass under recent staffs, but Walker’s late-season ascension crystallized a ground-leaning attack that the Patriots could not contain. The result returned a second Lombardi Trophy to Seattle and reinserted questions about running back value in championship play.
Main event
From the opening drives in Santa Clara, Walker set the tone. Across the first 30 minutes he outgained New England’s entire offense, breaking off a 29-yard run and a 30-yard run in a three-play sequence that set up a Seattle field goal. By halftime he had 94 rushing yards on 14 carries, pacing an offense that otherwise struggled to generate chunk passing plays early.
Walker finished the night with 135 rushing yards on 27 attempts and added 26 receiving yards on two catches, frequently converting short-yardage situations and breaking tackles to extend drives. Seattle mixed downhill rushing with timely outside zones, allowing Walker room to accelerate through seams and reach the second level against a Patriots front that had prepared for more quarterback-led attacks.
New England mounted adjustments in the second half, but Seattle’s defense preserved a lead and the running game consumed clock and possessions. Walker’s consistent production helped flip field position and keep the Patriots’ offense off the field during critical stretches, contributing directly to the 29-13 final score and the franchise’s championship finish.
Analysis & implications
Walker winning MVP alters several narratives. First, it underlines how a dominant running performance can still decide a championship game even in an era dominated by passing. His 135-yard game — the highest Super Bowl rushing total since Terrell Davis — demonstrates that a single back can swing both tempo and outcome when the line of scrimmage is controlled.
Second, Walker’s impending free agency introduces immediate roster and market questions. As an unrestricted free agent in March, his postseason résumé — three straight playoff games with 100-plus scrimmage yards and a Super Bowl MVP — will significantly elevate his bargaining position. Seattle faces a familiar cap-management challenge: whether to prioritize re-signing a homegrown postseason star or allocate resources elsewhere.
Third, the result has league-wide implications for how teams value late-down, between-the-tackles runners in free agency and draft planning. Teams that emphasize ball-control and clock management may increase spending on proven workhorse backs, while defensive coordinators will study Seattle’s run concepts that produced explosive gains against a high-profile opponent.
Comparison & data
| Player / Context | Stat | Value |
|---|---|---|
| K. Walker III (Super Bowl LX) | Rushing yards | 135 |
| K. Walker III (First half) | Rushing yards | 94 |
| K. Walker III (Postseason) | Rushing yards | 313 |
| M. Lynch (2014 postseason) | Rushing yards | 318 |
| T. Smith (Super Bowl XXII, first half) | Rushing yards | 131 |
The table highlights Walker’s Super Bowl and postseason outputs alongside franchise and historical comparators. His 313 postseason rushing yards fall two yards short of Marshawn Lynch’s 318 from 2014, while his 94 first-half Super Bowl total is second only to Timmy Smith’s 131 in the opening half of Super Bowl XXII. Those comparisons frame Walker’s performance as historically significant within both Seahawks lore and Super Bowl records.
Reactions & quotes
Postgame reaction combined relief and forward-looking questions about roster decisions. Walker kept public comments measured during Super Bowl week, but after the game he allowed a glimpse of his preference about staying with the team.
“If it was my choice, I’d definitely stay.”
Kenneth Walker III
That brief remark underscored the central contract storyline heading into March free agency — Walker’s desire to remain in Seattle versus what the market might offer. The MVP announcement itself was succinct and ceremonially formal, reflecting the league’s recognition of an unusually impactful running performance.
“Kenneth Walker III was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LX after a 29-13 Seahawks victory.”
ESPN (game report)
Unconfirmed
- Specific contract offers or negotiations for Walker in March remain unknown and were not disclosed publicly as of publication.
- Which teams beyond Seattle will make concrete offers in free agency is not confirmed and will depend on cap situations league-wide.
- Long-term recovery timelines and roster plans regarding Zach Charbonnet’s ACL injury were not detailed in the public game report.
Bottom line
Kenneth Walker III’s Super Bowl LX MVP performance rewrites the short-term valuation of his services and places the Seahawks at a crossroads: invest to keep a homegrown postseason star or let market forces direct his next destination. On the field, Walker’s combination of explosive runs and sustained efficiency proved decisive in a 29-13 win that delivered Seattle a second Lombardi Trophy.
Off the field, the coming weeks will focus on contract talks and roster construction. Walker’s playoff tape and MVP honor give him leverage; how the Seahawks respond will shape their offense’s outlook for the next season and signal how contenders value elite postseason production from a running back.