The Seahawks are heading into Week 7 with plenty of problems, but the biggest one may be what’s happening - and not happening - in the backfield.
Seattle is 3-3 and set to host the 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football in a game that feels like a must-win. The offense still needs cleaning up in a few places, but the running game, personnel usage and ball security have all been major issues. That’s where the latest twist with Zach Charbonnet lands as a real headache.
Charbonnet had been trending toward a return after tearing his ACL in last season’s Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers. He was a full participant in practice, then got ruled out on Friday. For a team already thin at running back, that timing couldn’t be much worse.
The jump from full participation to unavailable has raised questions. One possibility floated is that Seattle could be keeping him available for a trade scenario, with the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor mentioned as an example of the kind of move that would make sense. Another idea is simpler: the Seahawks may just want one more week to get Charbonnet fully ready and prepared for a heavier workload.
Either way, the situation doesn’t make life easier for a team that can’t afford to drift much longer. If the 2026 NFL season ended today, the Seahawks would be outside the playoff field.
And the schedule only gets tougher from here, with the undefeated Chiefs coming to town before a road trip to face the Chicago Bears, who are 5-2, on Monday Night Football. Seattle could be sitting at 3-5 by the time Week 9 arrives.
The organization hasn’t done much to reinforce the position either. The only addition of note has been undrafted rookie Robert Henry Jr., who was signed off the Washington Commanders’ practice squad. Seattle also worked out former two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon, but passed because of his physical.
The rushing numbers show how quickly things have slipped. Through the first two games, the Seahawks averaged 129.5 rushing yards by rotating Price with a power back such as Wilson and Holani.
Over the last four games, that average dropped to 96 yards as turnovers climbed and Price went on injured reserve after Week 3. That left Seattle leaning heavily on Wilson and Holani, two backs described as short-yardage players without much power or explosiveness.
That lack of efficiency has pushed too much onto Sam Darnold. His play has come with more turnovers and shaky decision-making, and against the Chiefs the Seahawks will need some version of a dependable run game to give themselves a real shot. Darnold had 51 passing attempts, scrambled several times and was sacked five times.
Seattle’s coaching staff also hasn’t shown much appetite for expanding the playbook or leaning into new personnel. Rashid Shaheed scored on a 28-yard pitch handoff in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he had just one rushing attempt in the losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos.
Velus Jones Jr. brings more speed as a runner, yet he logged only four carries for 20 yards against the Broncos. Henry, meanwhile, has not appeared in a game for the Seahawks yet.
If the Seahawks want a more balanced offense, the answer starts up front and with the ball carriers. The offensive line has to create more movement, and the carry distribution needs to change.
That means fewer touches for Wilson and Holani and more opportunities for Jones and Henry. If Seattle keeps treating the run game like an afterthought, its playoff hopes will keep shrinking fast.
In Other News...
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Running Back Decision Fans Didnt Expect
With the NFL trade deadline approaching and the backfield picture starting to shift, the Seahawks are suddenly in a position where they may have to decide whether to add at running back or move pieces out to make room. Injuries around the league, the possible return of healthier options in Seattle, and the chance to chase a bigger name all have the front office looking at a group that includes Emanuel Wilson, George Holani and Zach Charbonnet.
What makes this a little more intriguing is the contract side of it. Wilson, Holani and Charbonnet are all on expiring deals, which gives Seattle some flexibility if it wants to pursue another runner, whether that means a splashier target or simply more depth. Charbonnets recovery from ACL surgery only adds another layer to the discussion, because the Seahawks still have to weigh what he can be coming off the injury against what the roster might need in the short term. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Just Got A Painful Kenneth Walker Reminder From Mike Macdonald
Kenneth Walker III has stayed in the conversation around Seattle even after moving on, and Mike Macdonald made sure of that during a recent SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance. The Seahawks coach was complimentary about the running backs work with the Kansas City Chiefs, pointing to Walkers strong play and the way he has backed it up with some of the leagues top statistical production.
For Seattle, the reminder stings a little because Walker was not kept on the franchise tag earlier this year before landing a three-year deal with Kansas City. Macdonalds comments arrived just as the Chiefs are set to face the Seahawks, adding a little extra weight to a matchup that already carries an obvious layer of familiarity and second-guessing. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Put Perfect Start On The Line Against Walkers Former Team
Kenneth Walker III has helped fuel Kansas Citys 5-0 start, giving the Chiefs another dynamic piece as they try to keep their perfect opening intact. The matchup also brings some familiarity for Seattle, which is trying to settle in as defending Super Bowl champions while navigating a 3-3 beginning that has been shaped by uneven quarterback play from Sam Darnold and injuries in the backfield.
The Seahawks have still had a dependable presence in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose value has only grown as the offense works through its issues. Still, this is the kind of game that can sharpen the questions around Seattles early-season identity, with the Chiefs carrying momentum and a back who knows exactly what his former team is trying to do on the other side. [Read more 🡒]