When news broke that Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL, the immediate focus shifted to who would back up Kenneth Walker III in the NFC Championship Game. But zooming out, there’s a bigger question looming in Seattle: Does this injury shift the Seahawks’ long-term plans for Walker - and more importantly, does it change how much they’re willing to pay him?
Let’s start with the short term. With Charbonnet sidelined, Seattle activated George Holani for practice.
Holani landed on IR after a Week 12 win over Tennessee with a hamstring issue, but he’s reportedly been healthy for a few weeks now. Expect him to step into the rotation alongside Walker when the Seahawks face the Rams on Sunday.
Holani might not have Charbonnet’s experience, but he brings enough burst and versatility to give Seattle a viable option behind their lead back.
But the real intrigue lies in what happens after this playoff run. Heading into the offseason, the Seahawks were widely expected to let Walker test free agency.
That was the logical move - not because of a lack of talent, but because of durability concerns and the assumption that another team would offer more than Seattle wanted to spend. With Charbonnet, Holani, and Kenny McIntosh in the fold, the backfield looked deep enough to absorb Walker’s departure.
Charbonnet’s injury has complicated that picture. An ACL tear this late in the season means he could miss a significant chunk of next year. That leaves Seattle with a decision to make: Do they trust Holani and McIntosh to carry the load early in 2026, or do they pivot and prioritize re-signing Walker?
Walker’s market value is climbing - and for good reason. He racked up 1,309 yards from scrimmage this season, proving he can be a true workhorse when healthy.
In a free agent class that’s thin at running back, he’s firmly in the top tier. Breece Hall is the headliner, but Walker’s production and explosiveness arguably place him ahead of names like Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams, and Rico Dowdle.
A deal in the $12-14 million per year range isn’t out of the question, especially if a bidding war breaks out.
The draft isn’t offering much help, either. Outside of Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love - who’s projected as a top-10 pick - there isn’t another running back ranked in the top 50 on most boards. That’s not ideal if Seattle is hoping to find a cheaper replacement through the draft.
Now, the good news for the Seahawks: they’ve got the financial flexibility to make a splash. According to OverTheCap, Seattle enters the offseason with the fourth-most cap space in the league - around $72 million. And they’re not exactly drowning in big-money contract extensions.
Rashid Shaheed is likely their top priority outside of Walker and should command something in the $10-12 million range annually. Cornerback Riq Woolen could be in line for a major payday - potentially $20 million - but Seattle may look to balance that by retaining Josh Jobe on a more affordable deal, possibly around $10 million. Coby Bryant also wants a new contract, but negotiations didn’t get far last offseason, leaving his future in question.
Then there’s the big-ticket duo: Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. Smith-Njigba just put together a monster season, leading the league with 119 receptions and 1,793 yards - a new team record.
Witherspoon, a three-time Pro Bowler already, is a cornerstone of Mike Macdonald’s defense. Both are due for massive extensions, likely in the $30 million per year range.
General manager John Schneider may follow the same blueprint he used with Charles Cross - picking up fifth-year options and working out extensions later in the year - but either way, these guys are getting paid.
Even after those deals, there’s still room to bring back Walker. Financially, it’s doable.
The question is whether Seattle believes he’s worth that top-10 running back money. If they do, they’ll have one of the league’s most dynamic backs locked in.
If not, they’ll need to find a solid Plan B - and right now, there aren’t many great options out there.
One thing’s clear: the Seahawks’ running back room just became one of the most important storylines of the offseason. Whether it’s doubling down on Walker or reshuffling the depth chart again, Seattle has a decision to make - and it could shape the offense for years to come.