Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald expressed optimism about the team's running back position following the departure of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker signed a three-year, $43.3 million contract, the largest ever for a running back in free agency. Macdonald highlighted the potential of Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, Kenny McIntosh and new addition Emanuel Wilson.
The Seahawks, fresh off a 29-13 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, lost Walker after his standout performance. He rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries and added 26 receiving yards, earning MVP honors as the first running back to do so since Terrell Davis in 1997. Walker had posted his second 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 before signing with Kansas City, becoming the NFL's fourth-highest paid running back behind Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry. Seattle also lost safety Coby Bryant but retained Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe. Mike Macdonald remains unconcerned about replacing Walker. He noted that Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh are rehabbing aggressively from injuries, with Charbonnet having rushed for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025 before an ACL tear in the divisional round win over the San Francisco 49ers. The team signed Emanuel Wilson, who showed promise with the Green Bay Packers, including 107 yards and two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. Undrafted George Holani contributed in the playoffs, rushing for 10 yards and catching 34 yards in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl after signing his tender. Macdonald praised Holani's late-season play. Seattle may target prospects like Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr. in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
