New backfield dynamics emerge. Can the reigning champions reload their dominant rushing attack after losing their star and facing injury challenges?
The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 season in a dramatically different position at running back—one that’s drawing national attention after a major offseason shakeup.
In a recent Bleacher Report ranking of the NFL’s top running back rooms, Seattle was notably left outside the top tier following the departure of Kenneth Walker III. The move marked the end of one of the league’s most productive backfields and signaled a transition period for the reigning Super Bowl champions.
"With Walker signing with the Kansas City Chiefs and Charbonnet working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Seahawks will struggle to replicate their ground-based successes of 2025," Alex Kay writes. "While Seattle did help ease the blow of Walker's departure by signing Emmanuel Wilson, the team may still have to use one of its mere four selections in the 2026 draft to address the backfield."
Just months ago, the Seahawks leaned on a dynamic one-two punch. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, and Zach Charbonnet formed a balanced and explosive duo that powered Seattle to the top seed and ultimately a Super Bowl win.
Still, this isn’t a backfield devoid of potential. Charbonnet has already proven he can handle an expanded role, especially after contributing heavily during the 2025 campaign. Whenever he comes back from injury, he will be a prime candidate to take over a bigger role.
The bigger question is depth and explosiveness. Walker brought game-breaking ability every time he touched the ball, something Seattle will now need to recreate through scheme, player development, or possibly the draft.
Ultimately, the Seahawks’ ranking reflects both respect for what they had and uncertainty about what comes next. The foundation of a strong rushing attack is still in place, but until a new identity emerges in the backfield, Seattle’s running back room will remain a question mark in the national conversation.
For a team fresh off a championship, the challenge is clear: reload, not rebuild.
And with them being one of the better rushing groups in the league in 2025, it's going to take a lot of determination to fully reload.