The Seattle Seahawks’ ground game needs help, and it needs it now.
Through six games, Seattle has been stuck near the bottom of the league in several key rushing categories, sitting 24th in success rate on the ground at 37.7 percent and 29th in rush EPA/play at -0.185, according to Hawks Blogger. Some of that falls on the offensive line, but the backfield and the rest of the personnel group haven’t done much to bail things out.
Zach Charbonnet is still working his way back, Jadarian Price is on Injured Reserve, and Brian Fleury still hasn’t been able to get the run game rolling. Sam Darnold’s struggles have only made the picture murkier.
If the Seahawks want a real fix, the answer may have to come from outside the building. Here are three veteran backs who could be on their radar.
Kenneth Gainwell is the kind of under-the-radar move that could quietly make sense. He’s signed through 2027, but he’s buried behind the more explosive Bucky Irving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gainwell brings a dual-threat skill set, can help in the passing game, and could offer an upgrade for a Seahawks offense that has dealt with George Holani’s ball-security issues. He’s also done plenty of work in short-yardage situations and has earned a reputation as a strong pass protector and third-down option.
He hasn’t seen much action this season, but that could make him a realistic trade chip if Tampa Bay is willing to move a veteran while not going anywhere this year.
Najee Harris is another name worth monitoring. Seattle already had him in for a visit late in the offseason before he signed with the New York Giants.
Now he’s moved ahead of second-year back Cam Skattebo, but the Giants could still take calls if the right offer comes along. Harris has never been the most efficient runner, and he hasn’t matched the huge expectations that followed him out of Alabama.
Even so, he brings size, durability, and a bruising style that fits the kind of dirty work Seattle needs. On third-and-short, he’s the sort of back who can keep the chains moving.
Tony Pollard may be the most attractive option of the group, and probably the one that would draw the most buzz on the trade market. He’s already proven he can handle a feature role, and he offers quickness, balance, and the ability to create in tight spaces.
The Tennessee Titans look headed for a rough season and could be wise to cash in one of their stronger trade assets. Pollard isn’t Kenneth Walker, but he does bring a similar kind of burst and big-play danger.
Among available backs, he may be the closest match to what Seattle is missing right now.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Tight End Problem They Can't Ignore
Elijah Arroyos shoulder injury has pushed the Seahawks into a spot they cant really gloss over at tight end, especially with the severity still being sorted out after the recent game. Seattle moved quickly by signing veteran Josiah Deguara to the practice squad, a clear sign the team wanted another body in the room while it waits for a better read on Arroyos timeline.
The timing makes the situation more delicate because the Seahawks are also waiting on another key offensive update in running back Zach Charbonnet, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury. Even if Arroyos absence turns out to be manageable, Seattle is suddenly navigating depth concerns at multiple spots, and what happens next at tight end could shape how the offense handles the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Defense Has One Frustrating Flaw Fans Can't Ignore
The Seahawks have spent enough time around the top of the league conversation defensively to know where the frustration is coming from. But the red-zone numbers have become impossible to overlook, with Seattle allowing touchdowns on 75% of opponents' red-zone drives this season, a sharp drop from last year's 50%. In the overtime loss to Denver, that issue surfaced again when the Broncos finished both of their red-zone chances with touchdowns, leaving Seattle to chase the game in a spot where its defense has usually been expected to hold firm.
Brock Huard added to the criticism after the game, pointing to specific plays where the Seahawks failed to keep Denver out of the end zone. For a unit with bigger ambitions, the concern is not just the single loss but the pattern underneath it, one that keeps showing up in the tightest moments and keeps turning strong defensive stretches into costly breakdowns. Until that changes, Seattle's defense will keep inviting the same uncomfortable questions. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Are Taking A Chance On An Overlooked Run Game Fix
The Seahawks added a couple of familiar-looking pieces to the practice squad this week, signing undrafted rookie fullback Jackson Acker and tight end Josiah Deguara. It is the kind of move that usually flies under the radar in midseason, but for a team still looking for answers in the run game, it stands out as more than just roster churn.
Acker brings the sort of size and speed that can matter in short-yardage and in creating cleaner paths for the backs, which is part of why Seattle is taking a look. The broader issue has been the Seahawks' recent rushing struggles, and the team may be hoping this new mix of personnel can give them another option as they map out what the ground game looks like in upcoming games. [Read more 🡒]