Kenneth Walker III was named Super Bowl MVP for his role in the Seattle Seahawks' 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium. The fourth-year running back finished with 135 rushing yards on 27 carries and 26 receiving yards, totaling 161 scrimmage yards, and became the first running back to win the award since Terrell Davis on Jan. 25, 1998. The choice broke a recent pattern of quarterbacks dominating the accolade, and it has already sparked fresh conversation about how the award is decided and what it means for legacy.
What the Super Bowl MVP is, and how it is decided
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player is an annual honor given to the standout performer of the NFL's championship game. The selection process blends media judgment and fan input. Since 2001, a panel of media voters on site casts ballots that account for 80 percent of the final tally, while fan voting, conducted during the fourth quarter through the end of the game, accounts for 20 percent. The result is a single winner announced after the game, a designation that can elevate a player’s reputation and bargaining position in contract talks.
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Total_MVP_Score = 0.8 * (media_vote_percentage) + 0.2 * (fan_vote_percentage)
Winner = player with highest Total_MVP_Score
```
Why the voting method matters
- The media panel tends to reward context and impact over raw box-score numbers, which can favor quarterbacks and game-turning defensive plays.
- Fan voting adds a popularity component, which sometimes pushes narratives, especially for household names.
- Combined, the system aims to moderate extremes, but critics say it still tilts toward offensive, highlight-driven roles.
A brief history: MVPs who shaped the game
The award dates to the first Super Bowl in January 1967, and it has been part trophy case, part narrative shorthand for greatness. Quarterbacks have dominated the list in recent decades, but standout exceptions have included running backs and defensive stars. Some historical notes worth remembering:
- Tom Brady holds the record with five Super Bowl MVPs, a figure that frames his Hall of Fame case.
- Joe Montana and Patrick Mahomes have each won the award three times, underscoring how exceptional quarterback performances can define multiple title runs.
- Defensive and special-teams winners are rare, and a running back winning the award had not happened since Terrell Davis in January 1998, until Kenneth Walker III in 2026.
Table: Selected multiple Super Bowl MVP winners
Player | Teams (notable) | Super Bowl MVPs | First MVP (date) |
|---|---|---|---|
Tom Brady | New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 5 | 2002 (Super Bowl XXXVI) |
Joe Montana | San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 1982 (Super Bowl XVI) |
Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 2020 (Super Bowl LIV) |
Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks | 1 | 2026 (Super Bowl LX) |
The 2026 choice: why Kenneth Walker III won
On Feb. 8, 2026, Seattle’s game plan leaned on ball control and time of possession, and Walker consistently moved the chains. His long runs helped the Seahawks sustain drives that turned into five field goals and one offensive touchdown, while the defense created turnovers and points of its own. Those complementary phases amplified Walker’s impact. Voters appear to have rewarded the player who most consistently affected the scoreboard and the flow of the game.
The decision reflects several practical points voters consider in close calls:
- Volume and efficiency, not just splash plays. Walker’s 27 carries signaled sustained contribution.
- Game context, including injuries and role adjustments—Walker carried a heavier load late in the postseason after a teammate’s injury.
- Narrative value, such as a player’s story, contract status, or local ties, which can influence fan and media perception.
Kenneth Walker’s night was a reminder that championships are often built on the unspectacular work that keeps drives alive, not just the highlight reel play.
Multiple viewpoints and the debate over bias
There are competing perspectives about how the MVP should be awarded. Supporters of the current system say it balances expert judgment and fan voice, which keeps the award both credible and engaging. Critics argue two recurring biases undermine fairness:
- Quarterback bias: Because QBs are central to play-calling and scoring, they frequently get the nod even when other players have a larger single-game impact.
- Offensive bias: Defensive and special teams performances are harder to quantify and to sell to fans, so those players are often overlooked.
Those who favor reform propose alternatives, including separate awards for offense and defense in the Super Bowl, or a larger and more diverse media panel that includes former players and coaches to broaden the evaluative lens.
The legacy effect: why an MVP matters beyond the trophy
Winning the Super Bowl MVP does more than adorn a highlight reel. It can:
- Increase a player’s market value in contract negotiations, especially for impending free agents.
- Solidify a player’s place in team history and national conversation, which can accelerate Hall of Fame arguments.
- Shape offseason narratives, endorsements, and media opportunities.
In Walker’s case, becoming MVP in a contract year raises immediate financial implications, while also changing how scouts and front offices evaluate workhorse running backs in modern pass-first offenses.
Statistical context: running back MVPs vs. quarterbacks
- Running backs have seldom won the Super Bowl MVP. Walker is only the eighth RB or fullback to earn the honor, joining names like Terrell Davis and Emmitt Smith.
- Quarterbacks remain the most frequent winners, reflecting both their central role and voter tendencies toward players who touch the ball on every offensive snap.
What to watch next
- Whether the NFL or media organizations propose any tweaks to the voting process, especially after controversial selections.
- How Walker’s market plays out in free agency, and whether an MVP carryover affects team-building strategies around the run game.
- The ongoing conversation about recognizing defensive and special-teams excellence on the sport’s biggest stage.
Conclusion
The Super Bowl MVP remains a prized, sometimes polarizing badge that captures a single night's significance in a long season. Kenneth Walker III’s Feb. 8, 2026 performance rewrote a stat line that had been quarterback-dominated for years, and it re-opened a debate about what the award should reward: the flashiest play, the most consistent presence, or the player whose performance changed the outcome. For fans, players, and front offices, the answer matters because the MVP shapes memory, bargaining power, and the narrative we tell about greatness.