Kenneth Walker Is Gone, So What's Next at Running Back for the Seahawks?
The Seahawks have a massive hole to fill at running back, and GM John Schneider is staying calm about it. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III bolted to Kansas City in free agency on a three year, $43.05 million deal after rushing for a team-high 1,027 yards last season. That's a huge loss. Add in the fact that Zach Charbonnet, who had 730 yards and 12 touchdowns in the fall before tearing his ACL, could miss much of the 2026 season, and suddenly the backfield looks pretty thin. But Schneider is not panicking, and there's actually more reason for optimism here than you might think.
Wilson, Holani, and McIntosh Step Up
Right now, the top three running backs on Seattle's depth chart are recent free agent addition Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, and Kenny McIntosh. Wilson came over from Green Bay on a one-year, $2.1 million deal last week after rushing for 998 yards over the past two seasons as a backup for the Packers. Holani backed up Walker in the postseason after Charbonnet got hurt and played well in limited action. McIntosh ran for 172 yards on 31 carries for Seattle in 2024 before tearing his ACL in training camp last July. The team also has Velus Jones Jr., Cam Akers, and Jacardia Wright on the offseason roster.
Schneider isn't sweating it. "That's a position that you can find guys," he told Wyman and Bob on Thursday. "Obviously Walker was outstanding, and everybody's really excited for him. I mean, that's a great, great contract for a running back. But George did a great job. We're really excited about Emmanuel Wilson, who we got from Green Bay, a heavy runner with really nice feet. It's only March. The 2026 season is still six and a half months away."
George Holani Had the Moment of His Life
Don't sleep on Holani. The undrafted kid out of Boise State stepped up huge when it mattered most. He had three catches for 27 yards in the NFC Championship game and keyed a field-goal drive in the Super Bowl with a 7-yard run and a 5-yard reception back-to-back. Schneider raved about him both last week and this week. "George is one of those guys that just does everything really well," Schneider said Thursday. "He catches the ball, pass protection, doesn't put the ball on the ground, really good instincts and he's a true pro. He's just got great personality." Holani signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with Seattle on Monday, locking him in for next season.
The Seahawks could still look to add another running back in next month's NFL Draft, but Schneider is confident the team knows exactly where it stands. With Holani's proven ability to perform when the lights are brightest and Wilson's versatility in the backfield, Seattle might not be in as bad shape as the initial panic suggested. Stay tuned.
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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.