The Seattle Seahawks have a running game problem, and it’s hard not to see a potential fix sitting in Philadelphia.
With first-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury trying to steady an offense that has struggled, the Seahawks’ backfield has been hit hard by injuries. Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet could be back soon, but the idea here is bigger than waiting on reinforcements: Seattle should at least explore a deal for Saquon Barkley.
Philadelphia may be headed toward a sell-now stretch. The Eagles have already dealt one starting offensive lineman, and quarterback Jalen Hurts is out for the season with blood clots.
That leaves the Eagles staring at a season that probably won’t end with a playoff run, while also considering how to stockpile draft capital in 2027 and 2028. Seattle has the kind of picks to make that conversation interesting.
Charbonnet’s situation matters here, too. He is expected back from the knee injury he suffered in the playoffs last season, but he is also in the final year of his rookie contract. If he walks in free agency next year, a Barkley move would give Seattle a backfield built around Price and Barkley.
The money also makes this worth a look. Barkley is under contract through 2028, and while his cap hit is high for a running back, it isn’t extreme in the broader sense.
Philadelphia has already paid the 2026 prorated portion of his signing bonus, which means a new team would owe him only $870,000 for the rest of this season. In 2027, that number would rise to about $4.5 million.
The real question is the price in draft capital. If the Eagles would take a third-round pick, the Seahawks have multiple third-rounders in 2027. If Philadelphia wanted to be a little more flexible, Seattle could also put together a package involving a later-round pick in 2027 and a second-round selection in 2028.
Barkley is also dealing with a right hamstring injury and is week-to-week, but by the time Seattle would actually make a move - the NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10 - he should be healthy. Price should be, too. Charbonnet likely would be as well.
That’s the kind of backfield upgrade that changes the feel of a team fast. Going from Emanuel Wilson and George Holani to Price, Charbonnet and Barkley would give the Seahawks a much different look, and maybe the kind of balance that keeps them dangerous once the postseason arrives.
Barkley’s résumé does the rest of the arguing. He has averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his career, has produced four 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and brings value as a receiver as well.
For Seattle, the fit is obvious enough to at least make the call. A Barkley trade would help the Seahawks now, help them later, and could make Brian Fleury look a whole lot better in the process.
It would also give Price a strong running mate after 2026 and mirror the kind of rotation the Seahawks have already seen work with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. All it takes is John Schneider picking up the phone to find out whether the Eagles are listening.
In Other News...
Seahawks May Finally Get The Backfield Boost They Need Most
Zach Charbonnet is closing in on a season debut, and for a Seahawks offense that has been searching for more traction on the ground, the timing could hardly be better. After recovering from a torn ACL, the running back was designated to return to practice on Oct. 1, and Mike Macdonald said there is a good chance he could be back in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seattle has needed a lift in its running game, and Charbonnets return would add a familiar piece to the backfield at a moment when the team could use one. The final step is whether he gets through the week and onto the field, but the possibility alone gives the Seahawks a different look as they head into a tough matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Trade Deadline Debate Starts With One Urgent Roster Question
Before the Seahawks make any real push toward the trade deadline, the conversation has to start with the middle of the offensive line. Seattle has been linked in recent days to a few big names, including Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack and running backs Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley, but the clearest case may be on the interior. Nelson is drawing attention not just because of his talent, but because his contract situation and fit make him the kind of move that could actually address an obvious need without forcing the club into a long-term gamble.
The Seahawks also have some help on the way in the backfield, with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price expected back from injury. That makes a running back splash less urgent, and it helps explain why Nelson looks like the cleaner fit if Seattle chooses to spend. The teams general manager has also shown a willingness to trade for players on expiring deals and work out new contracts later, which keeps the door open for a deadline move even if the details are still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Linked To A Move That Could Change Their Offense
Jonathan Taylor has suddenly become one of the more interesting names to watch as the trade market starts to take shape around a Colts team that has already slid to 2-4 and is trying to sort out its future. Indianapolis recently fired general manager Chris Ballard, and the front office picture is only getting messier with reports that Peyton Manning could be in the mix as a replacement. Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that teams looking to strengthen their offense are checking in.
The Bengals are one of the clubs linked to Taylor, and the Seahawks have also reportedly inquired, which tells you how much attention a proven running back can draw when a season starts to wobble. For Seattle, it is the kind of phone call that fits a bigger search for answers on offense, even if nothing is settled yet. The real question now is whether Indianapolis is willing to listen seriously, or whether this is just the first wave of interest before the market gets even busier. [Read more 🡒]