Seahawks Face 'Super Bowl Tax' Ahead of Offseason

ESPN's Adam Schefter warns Seattle of challenges in retaining key players after championship win.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl victory, but ESPN's Adam Schefter cautions that the team now faces a 'Super Bowl tax' that will make their offseason more challenging. Schefter notes that Super Bowl winners often struggle to retain key players as they demand higher salaries, putting pressure on the team's salary cap and roster construction.

Why it matters

The 'Super Bowl tax' is a common phenomenon for championship teams, as players seek bigger paydays after winning it all. This can make it difficult for the Seahawks to keep their core intact and build a roster capable of competing for titles in the years to come.

The details

Schefter pointed to the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles as an example, noting they lost several key players in free agency after winning the Super Bowl. The Seahawks now face similar challenges, with several starters like Kenneth Walker III, Riq Woolen, and Coby Bryant set to hit free agency. Additionally, young stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon are eligible for lucrative contract extensions, further straining the team's salary cap.

  • The Seahawks won Super Bowl 60 in February 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL offseason is approaching.

The players

Adam Schefter

An ESPN NFL reporter who warned the Seahawks about the challenges of the 'Super Bowl tax'.

John Schneider

The Seahawks' general manager, who Schefter praised as one of the best in professional sports.

Kenneth Walker III

The Seahawks' Super Bowl MVP running back who is set to become a free agent.

Riq Woolen

A Seahawks defensive player scheduled to test free agency.

Coby Bryant

A Seahawks defensive player scheduled to test free agency.

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What they’re saying

“This is the Super Bowl tax that every Super Bowl winner pays. All their players want more, all their free agents deserve more. Everybody wants their piece of the pie as they should. But it makes it that much more challenging to field a great, Super Bowl-caliber roster and make it back the next year and in the years to come.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Reporter (The Adam Schefter Podcast)

“We saw the type of year that Jaxon Smith-Njigba had... he's going to want to be paid like the [NFL's] Offensive Player of the Year. We saw the type of year that Devon Witherspoon had... he also is contract eligible for the first time. So if we make Jaxon Smith-Njigba the latest $40 million a year wide receiver, and if we make Devon Witherspoon one of the top paid cornerbacks in the game, all of a sudden it gets harder to assemble the type of roster that can compete for championships on an annual basis.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Reporter (The Adam Schefter Podcast)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.