The Seahawks’ plan to solve their backfield has hit an ugly early snag.
Jadarian Price, the first-round pick brought in as Kenneth Walker III’s replacement, is now set to miss at least one game with a chest injury. It’s the latest setback in a start that has already been messy: Price missed a couple weeks in training camp with some kind of leg issue, then picked up the chest injury in Week 2 against Arizona.
And the injuries haven’t even been the whole story. Price has also coughed up two fumbles in the last two games. That’s the kind of combo that gets a young back in trouble fast - missed time, lost trust, and fewer chances to settle in.
The frustration starts with the draft decision itself. Seattle passed on a pass rusher and used its final first-round pick on a running back, despite a position that’s been a sore spot for more than a decade. The Seahawks had already been reluctant to pay Walker, who landed $14.3 million a year from Kansas City, and the move to spend premium draft capital on his replacement always felt risky.
Our own thinking would have gone a different direction: sign Tyler Allgeier from the Falcons and then attack pass rush or corner early in the draft. Allgeier was available at a reasonable price - he signed a two-year deal with Arizona for $12.25 million - and he would have been a strong early-season stand-in for Zach Charbonnet.
Seattle, though, had its eyes on a different target. The Seahawks really wanted San Diego State corner Chris Johnson, according to insiders, but Miami jumped ahead of them and took him five picks earlier.
After that, the edge rush options on our board were Malachi Lawrence and Cashius Howell. Dallas took Lawrence 23rd overall, and the numbers back up that call: he apparently leads rookie edge rushers with a 24% pass-rush win rate, via PFF.
Howell is right behind him at 19% and leads all rookies with 11 pressures for the Bengals.
For now, Seattle is left hoping Price can steady himself once he gets back. Mike Macdonald made it clear the team isn’t putting this on the rookie.
“By no means is this JD’s fault or anything like that,” Mike Macdonald said. “This is just what happens in football.
Unfortunately, injuries happen. He can’t control these things.
He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do since he’s gotten here. He’s had a great attitude.
He’s been a great teammate. He has a great future.
He’s going to play great football for us when he comes back, whenever that is, and we move forward.”
That’s the optimistic read, and the Seahawks need it to be true. They do not need another Rashaad Penny bust.
There is at least some help on the way. Charbonnet is back at practice and could make his season debut within the next two weeks, though he’ll need time to get back into game shape. That leaves Emanuel Wilson as the main back for now, with George Holani handling third-down work.
“I’m excited to see these guys play,” Macdonald said. “It’s unfortunate with JD.
Hopefully this gives him an opportunity to get healthy. But we’ve got guys that are ready to go behind him that are preparing their tails off and are good players, so we feel like we have a good plan and we’ll go play a game.”
In Other News...
Seahawks Fans May Have A Week 4 Viewing Problem
The Seahawks get an early chance to test themselves against the AFC West this week, but fans outside the Pacific Northwest may have to do a little work to see it. Seattles matchup with the Chargers is set for CBS at 1:25 p.m. PT, and the regional broadcast footprint is limited, with coverage centered mostly on the Pacific Northwest and Southern California.
Andrew Catalon and Logan Ryan are on the call, and the timing is awkward for a fan base that will have to keep an eye on where the game lands before kickoff. The good news is that Seattle has several nationally televised games coming up, so this shouldnt be a season-long headache, but Week 4 could still leave plenty of viewers searching for an alternate plan. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Still Have One O-Line Problem They Havent Solved
The Seahawks did not do much to change the look of their offensive line this offseason, and that quiet approach has left one lingering question hanging over the roster. Their only notable addition was fifth-round pick Beau Stephens, a player who was viewed as a possible starter, but Seattle has kept him on the sideline and gone with Christian Haynes instead as it continues sorting out the interior of the line.
For a team trying to give its offense more stability, that decision keeps the spotlight on a spot that still feels unresolved. Even with Stephens in the mix, the Seahawks have not found a clean answer there yet, and one mock draft has already pushed the conversation forward by linking Seattle to interior lineman Kade Pieper in the 2027 NFL draft as a possible long-term fix. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Backfield Suddenly Has A New Reason For Hope
Zach Charbonnets return to practice gives the Seahawks a timely lift in a backfield that has been looking for stability early in the season. The second-year running back has been on the physically unable to perform list, but being designated to return opens the door for him to get back into game action as soon as Week 5, a welcome development for a team trying to sort out its rotation on the fly.
Seattles immediate plan still leans on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani at running back in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, but the depth chart has already shifted again. Rookie Jadarian Price was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games, so the Seahawks are heading into the next stretch with one less option and at least some hope that Charbonnets comeback can eventually settle things down. [Read more 🡒]