The Seattle Seahawks just survived the first wave of NFL free agency—but one glaring problem still looms over the roster.
After losing a superstar playmaker, Seattle’s backfield suddenly looks like the biggest mystery of the entire offseason.

---

Seahawks Still Searching for Answers at Running Back After First Week of Free Agency

The first week of NFL free agency is in the books, and while the Seattle Seahawks have made several moves, one major issue remains unresolved.

Despite addressing multiple areas of the roster, Seattle’s biggest need is still the same: running back.

The situation became urgent the moment Kenneth Walker III, the Seahawks’ explosive runner and recent Super Bowl MVP, left for the Kansas City Chiefs early in the league’s legal tampering period. Walker’s departure created a massive hole in the offense—one that the Seahawks have yet to truly fill.

Seattle did bring in Emanuel Wilson, signing the former Green Bay Packers running back to a one-year, $2 million contract. While Wilson has shown flashes as a physical runner during his time backing up Josh Jacobs in Green Bay, his arrival hasn’t fully solved the team’s backfield dilemma.

In fact, the Seahawks currently have seven running backs on their roster, yet none appear locked in as the clear lead option.

That group includes Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr., Kenny McIntosh, Jacardia Wright, and Emanuel Wilson.

At first glance, that might sound like plenty of depth. But the reality is far more complicated.

Charbonnet, the player most capable of stepping into Walker’s former role, is currently recovering from ACL surgery after suffering a torn ligament last month. His recovery timeline remains uncertain, casting doubt on whether he will be ready to handle a full workload when the season begins.

Meanwhile, Kenny McIntosh is also coming off an ACL injury, further complicating Seattle’s running back picture.

That leaves Wilson, Holani, and the rest of the group competing for a role in an offense that heavily relied on its rushing attack during last season’s championship run.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider recently acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the position.

While he expressed confidence in the players currently on the roster, Schneider also made it clear that Seattle is far from finished evaluating the situation.

The team continues to monitor options and could still add another running back before the offseason concludes.

For Seattle, the stakes are significant.

The Seahawks’ offense thrived last season largely because of its dominant ground game, which helped control tempo and open opportunities in the passing attack. If that running game regresses in 2026, the entire offensive system could feel the impact.

Unfortunately for Seattle, many of the top running backs available in free agency have already signed with other teams, limiting the immediate options on the open market.

As a result, the Seahawks may turn their attention to the 2026 NFL Draft to solve the problem.

Several promising prospects could fit Seattle’s offensive philosophy, including Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price and Washington standout Jonah Coleman. Either player could potentially develop into the next featured back in Seattle’s system.

Still, selecting a rookie comes with its own risks, especially for a team hoping to remain competitive after its recent Super Bowl success.

For now, the Seahawks appear content to wait and evaluate the situation rather than rushing into another signing.

But with the draft approaching and uncertainty still surrounding the backfield, one question continues to hover over Seattle’s offseason strategy:

Who will replace Kenneth Walker III as the engine of the Seahawks’ rushing attack?

Until that answer emerges, the Seahawks’ biggest roster need remains unresolved.