The NFL running back market is heating up, and a recent big-money deal in Miami is shedding light on why the Seattle Seahawks made the tough call to let Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency.

After leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl 60 victory, Walker was arguably the team's most crucial offensive weapon. However, the salary cap told a different story. When he hit the open market, the Kansas City Chiefs swooped in with a three-year, $43 million contract—averaging $14.3 million per season and placing him among the top five highest-paid running backs in the league.

Seattle simply couldn't match that price tag, especially with looming extensions for stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba (already signed) and quarterback Sam Darnold (next on the list).

Enter De'Von Achane. The Miami Dolphins' explosive back just inked a four-year extension worth up to $68 million, which breaks down to a staggering $17 million per year—even more than Walker's deal. For a Seahawks front office already pinching pennies, this kind of spending at the running back position was a non-starter.

Instead of breaking the bank, Seattle took a savvy, budget-friendly approach. They drafted former Notre Dame standout Jadarian Price with the No. 32 overall pick. Thanks to the NFL's rookie wage scale, Price's four-year contract is valued at just $16.7 million total—a bargain at $4.1 million per season. That's less than what Achane will make in a single year.

It's a classic roster-building move: invest in a premium position (like wide receiver or quarterback) and find value at non-premium spots like running back. Of course, Price will need to live up to the hype for this strategy to pay off fully. But with the running back market skyrocketing—as Achane's extension proves—the Seahawks made a calculated decision to stay disciplined and build for the long haul.