The timing couldn’t have been better for the 25-year-old Walker, who is set to hit the loose this spring. The fourth-year quarterback really stepped up for the Seahawks in the playoffs, rushing for four touchdowns in the two Super Bowl games and taking on more workload after backup Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the Division II victory over the 49ers and missed the rest of the season.
Walker started cooking on the Seahawks’ fourth drive of the Super Bowl, with runs of 29 and 30 yards in a three-play span. The Seahawks settled for a field goal and a 6-0 lead on that series, and Seattle jumped out to a 9-0 lead at halftime, with Walker accounting for more than half of the offense’s yards (100 of 183).
After halftime, Walker ripped off a 20-yard catch and run to set up the Seahawks’ fourth field goal of the game. Then in the fourth quarter, Walker ripped off runs of 14 and 10 yards, helping the Seahawks take a 22-7 lead that the Patriots couldn’t relinquish.
Walker didn’t score a touchdown — at least not officially, anyway. He shredded the Patriots for what appeared to be a 49-yard TD cherry on top, but it was called back by a tackle by quarterback Jalen Sundell. But at that point the game was theoretical.
The Patriots lost Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who left the game in the second half while being evaluated for a concussion, and held the Seahawks to 5.0 yards per pass attempt.
Walker was 48% of the Seahawks’ offensive field goals.
What made Walker’s night even more impressive is that it was the most rushing yardage allowed by a very good Patriots defense this season, including the playoffs. He also totaled 111 yards or more in four straight games to close the season, including a season-high Week 18 against the 49ers.
Walker’s 135 yards were his second-most in a game, regular season or playoff. His 29 touches in a game were also the second-most of his career, one behind the Rams’ 30 overtime touches in 2023.