Seahawks are "not expected" to tag Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III

Two weeks ago, on the day the franchise-tag window opened, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported that the Seahawks were "unlikely" to apply the franchise tag to Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. On the day the window will close, Schefter reports that the Seahawks are "not expected" to tag Walker.

Whether the latest report counts as a new report (or whether the collective response should be, "Yeah, I know, I heard you the first time"), the Seahawks currently are "not expected" to tag Walker. Which technically leaves the door open for something unexpected.

If the unexpected doesn't occur, Walker will become a free agent next week — unless he re-signs with the Seahawks. He'll then be able to sign with any other team.

If he goes, he'll join the small club of Super Bowl MVPs who parlayed their achievement into a new deal with a new team. The current list consists of Larry Brown after Super Bowl XXX, Desmond Howard after Super Bowl XXXI, and Dexter Jackson after Super Bowl XXXVII.

Walker rushed for 1,027 yards during the regular season. He finished with a flourish in the playoffs, with 376 rushing yards in three games and 135 in the Super Bowl.

If Walker goes, the Seahawks will need help at the position. Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL during the divisional-round win over the 49ers. He underwent surgery 11 days ago.