The Seattle Seahawks have returned to the top of the mountain in the NFL, as they prevailed 29-13 in Super Bowl LX over the New England Patriots. From the jump, the Seahawks controlled this game, thanks in large part to a commanding defensive performance. On offense, though, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III teamed up to ensure that Seattle would score enough points to win this game.
For the most part, Darnold didn’t have to do much in this game, as he played a clean outing and protected the football throughout the night. Walker, on the other hand, was the engine that powered this unit, and when all was said and done, he was named the MVP of Super Bowl LX. After the game, Darnold was effusive in his praise of Walker and his big performance.
Sam Darnold Gushes Over Kenneth Walker III
Perhaps the main concern for Seattle entering the Super Bowl was that Darnold would be careless with the ball against a stout New England defense. While he had a couple of hairy moments, Darnold finished the night completing 19 of his 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, while also adding five yards on two carries. He wasn’t spectacular, but he didn’t have to be in order for his team to win.
The guy who was spectacular was Walker, and it rightly led to him winning Super Bowl MVP. Walker gashed New England’s defense for big gains all night, as he racked up 135 yards on 27 carries and caught two passes for 26 more yards. If Walker doesn’t put together this sort of outing, that would have put more pressure on Darnold, which could have led to him making the sort of mistakes his team was worried about.
Instead, Walker continually battered the Patriots’ defense, and with free agency looming, he may have just earned himself a hefty pay raise. For now, though, all he and his teammates are concerned about is celebrating their big win, with Darnold offering a blunt assessment of Walker’s MVP-caliber performance for Seattle after the game wrapped up.
“To be honest, no,” Darnold said when asked if he was surprised by Walker’s big outing. “I feel like he’s been running like that the entire season … Ken did his job pretty unbelievably tonight.”
What Does the Future Hold for Kenneth Walker III and the Seahawks?
GettyKenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks was awarded the coveted MVP award for being the most valuable player in the Super Bowl.
There’s no doubt that the Seahawks are thrilled that Walker delivered one of his best performances when his team needed him the most. And yet, it may have just set the stage for him to depart this offseason. With Walker set to hit the open market, he appears set to command a deal that Seattle’s front office may simply not be willing to give him, with Zach Charbonnet and George Holani also on the team’s depth chart at running back.
Given his history with the team, Walker could want to stick around, but he may have to take a significant hometown discount in order for that to happen, and it remains to be seen whether or not that’s something he is willing to do. The celebration is on in Seattle, but once the confetti settles, some serious questions about Walker’s future will be answered in the near future.
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