With Kenneth Walker III gone and a starting role wide open, the explosive first-round pick is primed to anchor the champion's backfield and ignite a breakout season.
The Seattle Seahawks may have found their next breakout offensive star in rookie running back Jadarian Price.
And his career is off to a good start as on Friday it was revealed that Price has agreed to his slotted rookie contract, a four-year, $16.783 million - the last of Seattle's rookie agreements - which includes an $8.818 million signing bonus.
Now, what's next?
In a recent Bleacher Report article predicting the NFL players they believe most likely to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2026, Price was listed among the top candidates after landing in what could be the perfect situation for immediate success.
At first glance, Price might not seem like the typical Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. He was never a full-time workhorse back in college, and some analysts questioned whether Seattle drafted him too early because of his limited usage at Notre Dame.
But what Price lacks in collegiate volume, he makes up for with explosiveness.
The rookie led his draft class in explosive run rate and forced missed tackles at an elite level during his time at Notre Dame. His combination of vision, acceleration and big-play ability immediately stood out to Seattle’s front office, especially within the Seahawks’ outside-zone rushing attack.
That fit matters even more now given the current state of Seattle’s backfield.
Kenneth Walker III departed earlier this offseason, leaving behind a massive role in the Seahawks offense. Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet continues to recover from a torn ACL, creating a clear path for Price to earn significant touches pretty much immediately.
And unlike many rookie running backs entering rebuilding situations, Price joins a reigning Super Bowl champion loaded with offensive talent around him.
Defenses will already have their hands full trying to slow down Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Seattle’s passing attack, which could create favorable running lanes for Price throughout the season. If the Seahawks offense remains one of the league’s most efficient units, the rookie running back should have plenty of chances to produce highlight plays and pile up statistics.
Despite being the backup, Price racked up 21 touchdowns and just under 2,000 yards from scrimmage during his time at Notre Dame.
The Seahawks did not draft Price simply to be part of a committee.
They drafted him because they believe he can become the next star running back in Seattle—and if Bleacher Report’s prediction proves accurate, he could end up becoming one of the NFL’s biggest rookie sensations in 2026.
