Kenneth Walker won't earn new contract from Seahawks with Week 1-like outputs

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker entered the 2025 season with significant expectations. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak intends to field a run-heavy offense and Walker is supposed to be showcased. Well, the former Michigan State ball-carrier came nowhere near reaching his potential in Sunday's Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Walker rushed for 20 yards via 10 carries. He averaged a pathetic 2.0 yards per carry. Seattle's rushing attack was outgained by San Francisco's 119-84.

Walker was also outperformed by Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown via 21 carries. Though he only averaged a slightly better 3.9 yards per carry, he out-touched Walker 12-10, and managed to find the end-zone for Seattle's lone score of the afternoon.

How the #Seahawks' new running game failed in week one vs the 49ers.

Plus: Zach Charbonnet had more snaps, more carries, more yards than Kenneth Walker in the opener. So will it be Walker or Charbonnet as RB1 Sunday in Pittsburgh? ⁦@thenewstribune⁩ https://t.co/6aZ8IZ5iQ3— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 10, 2025

It was a concerning development for Walker in the midst of a contract year. The 2022 draftee is attempting to earn a multi-year extension from the Seahawks. Lackluster performances like Sunday's won't convince John Schneider to open up his check book.

Walker suffered through an injury-riddled 2024 campaign. He was limited to 12 appearances and a career-low 542 rushing yards. Kubiak's scheme and Seattle's offseason improvements across the offensive line were supposed to help Walker recapture his form. That wasn't the case in Week 1.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Kenneth Walker won't earn extension from Seahawks without improvement