The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for the 2026 NFL season with a significant challenge on their hands. After clinching victory in the 2025 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, the Seahawks are set to kick off the new season facing the same team. However, this time, they'll be navigating the field with a few new hurdles, particularly in their backfield.
The Patriots, on their end, have bolstered their lineup by acquiring A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles and have introduced several fresh faces to their roster.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are dealing with the departure of their Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, who has taken his talents to the Kansas City Chiefs. This shift leaves Seattle with a fresh set of running backs, and the question of who will step up in Walker's absence looms large.
As highlighted by ESPN's Brady Henderson, the Seahawks' running back situation is a pressing concern for 2026. While not necessarily an "Achilles heel," the absence of Walker and the potential sidelining of Zach Charbonnet, their co-starter from 2025, due to knee surgery, leaves Seattle with uncertainties in their ground game.
Without their top two running backs from the Super Bowl-winning squad, the Seahawks are banking on new talent. Jadarian Price, a promising rookie from Notre Dame picked at No. 32 in the 2026 NFL Draft, is expected to fill some of the void. However, as a backup to Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, Price remains an unproven entity at the professional level.
Adding to the mix are Emmanuel Wilson, fresh from a stint with the Green Bay Packers, and George Holani, who served as the Seahawks' RB3 last season. These players will be crucial in shaping the backfield dynamics as the season begins.
While the running back situation is a legitimate concern, labeling it as the team's "Achilles heel" might be a stretch. Price, Wilson, and Holani may not have been the headliners in 2025, but they bring enough potential to keep the Seahawks competitive.
Nevertheless, there's no denying that the running back room will be under the microscope this season. If there's a position group likely to face challenges, it's this one, given the current lineup lacks the star power of some of their NFL peers.
Beyond the running backs, the Seahawks also face questions about their new offensive coordinator. However, the reshaped running back unit, having lost its Super Bowl MVP, is set to be a focal point for discussions throughout the year. As Seattle navigates these changes, the performance of their new backfield could very well dictate their success in defending their title.
In Other News...
Patriots May Already Have A Veteran Fallback For This Receiver Squeeze
The Patriots have already spent heavily to reshape their receiver room, headlined by the trade for A.J. Brown and the addition of Romeo Doubs, and that kind of influx tends to push everyone else down the depth chart fast. It also leaves New England with a crowded mix of veterans and younger players, a setup that can work early in the season but often leads to tough decisions once the roster starts to sort itself out.
Kayshon Boutte and Pop Douglas are among the names most likely to feel that squeeze, especially if the Patriots decide their best path is to keep trimming and reworking the group. If that happens, the team could find itself looking at veteran insurance rather than another major move, and DeAndre Hopkins is the sort of experienced receiver who would fit that conversation even if his role would be far from central. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Players Just Put Kraft In A Tough Gillette Spot
The grass at Gillette Stadium was installed for World Cup games, but some Patriots players already seem to prefer keeping it there for football too. After nearly 20 years without natural grass in Foxborough, the change has quickly turned into more than a temporary soccer adjustment, especially with player voices around the league reinforcing the idea that grass is the better playing surface.
George Kittle added his own support for grass, and the NFLPA amplified that message, giving the debate a little more reach beyond New England. The broader argument is familiar by now: players believe grass should be treated as a priority, not a budget line item, and the injury-risk case against turf has only made the subject harder for teams to dismiss. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Have One Obvious Reunion To Address A Lingering Problem
The Patriots linebacker group still has a familiar problem hanging over it, and it starts with how little proven depth sits behind the top options. New England has leaned on younger players there, but some of them are still short on experience, which makes the search for a steadier veteran addition an easy one to understand as the offseason moves along.
One name that fits the bill comes with built-in familiarity and a possible opening on the other side. Arizona is in a rebuilding phase and has reason to prioritize younger linebackers, while Mack Wilson is under contract for this season and could be available if the Cardinals decide to keep turning over that room. For the Patriots, it is the kind of reunion that would at least address a lingering issue, even if the exact cost and timing remain part of the calculus. [Read more 🡒]