Kenneth Walker's Gone and Seattle's GM Just Told Us Exactly How He Feels About It
Kenneth Walker is in Kansas City now, and John Schneider made it crystal clear on Thursday that the Seahawks aren't losing sleep over it. The Super Bowl MVP signed a massive 3-year, $43.05 million deal with the Chiefs in free agency, and while Schneider acknowledged Walker was "outstanding" for Seattle, his message was brutally honest: running backs are replaceable.
"That's a position that you can find guys," Schneider said during his weekly radio spot on Seattle Sports. Translation? Don't expect the Seahawks to break the bank chasing another star at the position.
The Walker Problem and Why Schneider Isn't Panicking
Look, losing 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns from your 2025 roster hurts. Walker was only 25 years old and playing at an elite level. But Schneider has been down this road before. Back after Seattle's Super Bowl run last decade, he extended Marshawn Lynch on a 2-year deal. That worked out... not great. Lynch ran for just 417 yards the next season and retired shortly after. The lesson stuck apparently: don't overpay running backs, no matter how good they are.
This time around, Schneider's wallet stayed in his pocket.
Here's Who's Actually Filling the Void
The Seahawks added Emmanuel Wilson from Green Bay, and Schneider raved about him, calling him "a heavy runner with really nice feet." Wilson put up 496 yards and three touchdowns last season, so he's got legitimate juice.
But the real confidence Schneider showed was in the depth chart already in place. He was especially complimentary of George Holani, saying he's "one of those guys that just does everything really well." Last season Holani ran for 73 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown and two catches for 15 yards. Sure, those numbers aren't eye-popping, but Schneider emphasized his pass protection, ball security, and professionalism.
The roster also has Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr., and Jacardia Wright in the mix. Charbonnet dealt with a serious knee injury in January, but Schneider insists he's on track to return by fall. McIntosh had a strong 2024 season before suffering a major injury, and Schneider believes he can contribute too.
The Real Message Here
Schneider essentially told Seattle fans that overpaying for one guy in the backfield isn't how championship teams are built anymore. He's betting that committee approach with multiple contributors will get the job done in 2026. We'll find out soon enough if that gamble pays off.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.