George Holani Is Primed for an Early-Down Role and the Emerald City Should Be Buzzing

Can you even believe the absolute whirlwind that just ripped through our beloved Seahawks' backfield? It’s not just big news, it’s a seismic shift for the 2026 season, and every 12 out there needs to brace themselves. Our Super Bowl 60 MVP, Kenneth Walker III, is GONE, baby. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Talk about a gut punch, right? But hold up, because our general manager, John Schneider, was already making moves. We picked up former Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, bringing some serious fresh blood into the mix. And as if that wasn’t enough drama, let's not forget Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL during the playoffs, which means his 2026 debut is expected to be delayed. Yeah, this is not your mama's backfield anymore, Emerald City, and it’s gonna be a wild ride.

New Faces, New Expectations: Price and Wilson Step Up

Alright, let's talk about the new guys stepping into those massive shoes. Jadarian Price, our shiny new 32nd pick, brings that rookie excitement that has Lumen Field buzzing. The draft capital alone screams sky-high expectations for him to produce immediately. He’s got that raw potential to spark our offense. But it’s not just Price. John Schneider also went out and signed Emanuel Wilson in free agency. He’s not here to sit around, he’s here to compete for every single rep. This isn’t a one-man show, and the competition is going to be fierce, pushing everyone to be their best. With Charb

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onnet on the mend, these guys are gonna get their shot, no doubt about it.

The Underdog Story: Holani's Surprise Promotion

But here’s the kicker, the real curveball that’s got me talking to myself: George Holani. Remember that third-year undrafted free agent? The dude was an absolute revelation in the playoffs after Charbonnet went down. He didn't just play, he *impressed*. Seriously! And because of that, Holani appears primed for a big-time promotion this season. We're talking about a guy who could legitimately be our early-down back. Let that sink in: an undrafted player potentially leading our rushing attack over a first-round pick. This is the kind of underdog story the 12s live for! Our new offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, is tasked with sorting through this wild backfield. Fleury, a run-game expert from those division rival San Francisco 49ers, is expected to make some seriously good decisions to get our ground game firing. So, who leads the Hawks in rushing yards this season? It’s an open question, and honestly, that’s what makes it so exciting! There’s palpable excitement building around Price’s rookie season, but you absolutely cannot sleep on Holani. The source itself says he *could* be our 2026 rushing yards leader, and after what we saw, I believe it. The battle for those carries is going to be intense, brutal, and it’s going to define our offense. Get ready, Emerald City, because every yard gained will feel like a hard-fought victory. We’ll be watching every single handoff, every broken tackle, to see who emerges as the king of our new-look run game. Go Hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.