The Seattle Seahawks are aiming to defend their championship title without Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. Seahawks general manager John Schneider wasn’t able to re-sign Walker, who landed a big contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in NFL free agency.
While addressing the situation the team is in at running back Thursday, Schneider walked a fine line during his weekly radio appearance on Seattle Sports.
The general manager stressed how great of a player Walker was for the Seahawks while also expressing confidence in who else the team has at running back.
“That’s a position that you can find guys,” Schneider said, via Seattle Sports’ Cameron Van Til. “Obviously, [Walker was] outstanding, and everybody’s really excited for him. I mean, that’s a great, great contract for a running back. But George [Holani] did a great job. We’re really excited about Emmanuel Wilson, who we got from Green Bay, a heavy runner with really nice feet.
“Just to kind of quell people, at this time of the year, I get it.
“But like, (Charbonnet) is doing great. Kenny McIntosh, he had a great (2024) season, and that was just an awful injury for him. But I get it. And it’s a position that … we know where we’re at right now.”
That Walker contract Schneider referred to was a 3-year, $43.05 million deal. The contract brought the Super Bowl MVP to the Chiefs.
Now, the Seahawks have to replace 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns from its 2025 roster.
Seahawks’ John Schneider Addresses RB Depth in 2026 Free Agency
After back-to-back Super Bowl appearances last decade, Schneider signed All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch to a 2-year contract extension. It’s hard to argue that Lynch’s deal wasn’t the right decision at the time because he was so important to Seattle’s success.
But Lynch immediately declined, running for only 417 yards the season after his new deal. He then retired the following offseason.
Walker is only 25 years old compared to the 28 years of age Lynch was in 2015. But it’s still worth wondering if the contract extension with Lynch influenced Schneider’s decision with Walker
Either way, this time, Schneider didn’t open the wallet for the running back.
Indirectly, Schneider was rather blunt with his “that’s a position that you can find guys” remark on Thursday. The indication was clear that Schneider doesn’t see the positional value in a star eating up cap space in the backfield.
Seahawks RB Depth in 2026 NFL Offseason
The Seahawks are certainly finding guys at running back.
In NFL free agency, the team added Emanuel Wilson. But they also have six other running backs on the offseason roster — Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr. and Jacardia Wright.
Pundits are concerned about Charbonnet being Seattle’s RB1 because he suffered a serious knee injury in January. But Schneider has expressed confidence Charbonnet is on schedule to return this fall.
Schneider has also emphasized he likes his team’s running back depth. On Thursday, he was very complimentary of Holani.
“George is one of those guys that just does everything really well,” Schneider said. “He catches the ball, pass protection, doesn’t put the ball on the ground, really good instincts and he’s a true pro. Like, he’s just got great personality.”
Last season, Holani ran for 73 yards on 22 carries, gaining 3.3 yards per rush. He also scored a touchdown and caught two passes for 15 yards.
Wilson ran for 496 yards and three touchdowns with the Packers during 2025. Wilson will likely have the first chance to earn the starting job if Charbonnet isn’t ready for Week 1.
Seahawks GM Speaks out on Kenneth Walker’s Absence in Seattle Backfield