Seattle Seahawks fans might recall the head-scratching moment when GM John Schneider drafted running back Zach Charbonnet in 2023, just a year after picking Kenneth Walker III, who quickly became the team's primary back. While initially puzzling, this decision played a crucial role in the Seahawks' journey to winning Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots in 2026. Although Charbonnet was sidelined with an ACL injury during the big game, Walker stepped up, rushing for 135 yards and earning the Super Bowl MVP title.
Fast forward a month, and Walker has signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, teaming up with Patrick Mahomes in pursuit of another championship ring. The move might seem sudden, but Walker's decision was likely influenced by his desire for a more prominent role. Reports suggest that Walker was "privately irked" by sharing the backfield with Charbonnet, feeling confident in his ability to handle the majority of carries.
Throughout the past season, the Seahawks had been preparing Charbonnet for a potential lead-back role in 2026. Despite sharing duties, Charbonnet excelled, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Walker managed 221 carries, amassing 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. In contrast, Charbonnet notched 184 carries for 730 yards and an impressive 12 touchdowns, the highest by a Seahawk since Marshawn Lynch's 2014 Super Bowl-winning season.
It was common to see Walker driving the Seahawks down the field, only for Charbonnet to take over near the goal line. The backfield split was nearly even, with Walker on 47% of offensive snaps and Charbonnet on 49%, suggesting a shared workload rather than a clear lead back.
As Seattle moves forward, Charbonnet's recovery from injury leaves the starting position open for Week 1. Meanwhile, Walker is set to take charge of the backfield in Kansas City, ready to make his mark alongside Mahomes this season.