Super Bowl Sunday has arrived. Fans will gather for parties across the country and around the globe to celebrate as the curtain comes down on another fascinating campaign. But for the Washington Commanders, they'll be keeping a close eye on possible targets that could join the franchise in free agency.
Adam Peters has a huge amount of hard work ahead this offseason. The Commanders mustered just five wins one year after reaching the NFC Championship game. The general manager went all-in, gambling on aging veterans to get Washington over the hump while running it back with the large majority who gave so much to the club in 2024. It backfired, so fans are expecting a change of approach this time around.
The Commanders have just two picks in the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, and six in total. For Peters to put the necessary pieces in place, he must maximize the significant financial resources at his disposal.
Commanders should keep a close eye on Kenneth Walker III during the Super Bowl
If the Commanders make the expected sacrifices, they could have more than $100 million to spend. Peters needs to move away from the one-year deals and focus on players coming off their rookie deals with their best football ahead. For this grand plan to work, Washington needs another productive running back capable of working in tandem with seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
That's where Kenneth Walker III comes in. He's not the biggest running back to ever grace the league, but he's highly productive and capable of becoming a useful dual threat alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels. With new offensive coordinator David Blough expected to run a more West Coast-style scheme, the former Michigan State standout looks like the perfect fit.
Walker's gone over 1,000 rushing yards in two of his first four seasons. He's racked up 4,560 yards from scrimmage and 31 touchdowns, which is a pretty solid return for a second-round pick. Adding him to a running back unit consisting of Croskey-Merrit and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (if he's re-signed) makes a ton of sense.
According to Spotrac, Walker is projected to receive a four-year, $33.59 million deal, averaging $8.39 million per season, if he hits the open market. Paying running backs on second deals is always risky, but he's been relatively durable and consistent throughout his time with the Seattle Seahawks so far. And at 25, it's an investment in the future.
A strong showing in the Super Bowl is only going to improve Walker's chances of getting a lucrative extension this offseason. The Seahawks have more than enough cap space to retain his services if the money works. If not, there could be a robust market.
And the Commanders make more sense than most.