INDIANAPOLIS—As much of the NFL Scouting Combine is about meeting with prospects and evaluating them, there is also a part that happens during this week that is equally important in building and maintaining an NFL roster. While all general managers, coaches, scouts and NFL agents are in one space, it makes it the ideal setting to have conversations about contract extensions.
"The combines become a little bit more about what the free agency and trades, and what's the Spring going to look like," Seahawks general manager/president of football operations John Schneider said.
The Seahawks have a handful of players that are up for contract extensions, and could be set to hit free agency, unless a deal is made.
After his end-of-season run, serving as the team's No.1 running back because of a Zach Charbonnet injury, and then Super Bowl MVP performance, Kenneth Walker III is one of the bigger names when it comes to a contract extension.
"We'd love to have Ken back," Schneider said. "And he knows this better than anybody. It's about our 70, our collective, and what that's going to look like, and, we'll have those meetings down here (in Indianapolis), we'll start talking to all the agents, and, we'll have a better feel of where we're going here towards the end of the week. But obviously, want to have everybody back. When you get done with something special like that, you're like, 'Yeah let's run it back, let's run it back.' You know, it's going to be an interesting process."
Over the course of three games, during the playoffs, Walker ran for 313 yards and scored four touchdowns, including his Super Bowl MVP game where he ran for 135 yards.
"You have to look at the whole picture," Schneider said. "He finished strong. He was having a great season. Both those guys were having a really good season, so that was really a huge bummer for Zach, especially at that time of the year, and where we were in the process. And so, it was just sad, but Ken did a great job, step forward. Obviously, we relied heavy on him in the last several games and (he) came through."
Along with Walker, difference-maker and return specialist Rashid Shaheed, who is at the end of his contract, could also become a free agent. Shaheed, who was arguably the trade of the 2025 NFL season, helped the Seahawks out largely in the return game, but is also a speedy receiver.
Schneider said they'll find out what plan for Shaheed is this week.
"He knows that we'd love to have him back," he said. "We're down here trying to talk to everybody (to) get a feel for what the Spring's going to look like."
He added, "That's what [the combine] has basically become. It's basically like everybody's starting point. Where they think it's going to go. And then you start working off of that."
While Walker and Shaheed are just two names the Seahawks are looking to keep, there's a multitude of players they want to keep as well.
"It's going to be a challenge to figure this year's puzzle out," Schneider said. "It's a really cool team and they're all special people. We're going to try to retain as many of those guys as we possibly can, as long as we can keep that collective 70 together."
Two other players that are still under contract but could potentially be up for extensions are Offensive Player of the Year, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and his draft mate Devon Witherspoon, and Schneider said Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon are, "a big part of our planning process. The timing of it? I'm not sure. Those are two pretty good players."
And the overall idea to maintain the team means that for Schneider, the players they have on the roster are a "priority."
"Probably more so than last year," he said.
The NFL Combine gives the nation's best draft prospects an opportunity to showcase their talents ahead of the NFL Draft. Check out some of the best photos of current Seahawks players at the NFL Combine.
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III (32) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III (32) participates in the broad jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III (32) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III (32) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Michigan State running back Kenny Walker III participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross jumps before he runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
FILE - Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. Charles Cross is a possible pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (06) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington State offensive lineman Abraham Lucas (30) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington State offensive lineman Abraham Lucas runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Washington State offensive lineman Abraham Lucas runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington State offensive lineman Abraham Lucas (30) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington State offensive lineman Abraham Lucas (30) participates in the broad jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams jumps before running the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UTSA defensive back Tariq Woolen runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
UTSA defensive back Tariq Woolen runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTSA defensive back Tariq Woolen runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTSA defensive back Tariq Woolen participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
UTSA defensive back Tariq Woolen runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Purdue offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, left, and North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel lifts weights at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 3, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori lifts weights at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan tight end AJ Barner runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold participates in the broad jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold participates in the broad jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold (5) with the quarterbacks during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold looks on during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
USC quarterback Sam Darnold runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold is seen at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp is seen in a drill at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
