How Will the Seahawks Replace Kenneth Walker? Seattle Faces Major Backfield Question

The Seattle Seahawks are beginning their Super Bowl defense with a major question in the backfield: How do you replace Kenneth Walker III?

Walker, better known as K9, was one of the most important pieces of Seattle’s championship run last season. After helping the Seahawks win Super Bowl LX, Walker left Seattle in free agency and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Losing Walker alone would have been a major challenge. Unfortunately for Seattle, the situation became even more difficult when Zach Charbonnet suffered an ACL injury during the playoffs. Charbonnet was expected to take on a larger role following Walker’s departure, but he is still on the PUP list and is not expected to be available for Week 1.

That leaves Seattle turning to a much less experienced group.

Jadarian Price Could Be the Answer

One of the biggest names to watch is rookie running back Jadarian Price.

Seattle selected Price with the 32nd overall pick, and his combination of speed and explosiveness gives the Seahawks a potential big-play threat out of the backfield. With Charbonnet unavailable, Price could receive a significant workload immediately.

George Holani is another player expected to receive plenty of opportunities. Holani impressed the Seahawks late last season, including during their postseason run, and head coach Mike Macdonald has previously praised his ability to make plays.

Emanuel Wilson and Kenny McIntosh could also be involved as Seattle looks to replace Walker’s production through a committee approach.

The Offense May Have to Change

Walker gave Seattle more than just rushing yards. His explosiveness forced defenses to respect the running game and opened opportunities for Sam Darnold and the passing attack.

Without him, Seattle could lean more heavily on Darnold and star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Smith-Njigba is coming off an outstanding season and will be one of the biggest pieces of Seattle’s offense. If the Seahawks can establish enough of a running threat without Walker, Darnold should have plenty of opportunities to attack defenses through the air.

The good news for Seattle is that head coach Mike Macdonald doesn’t believe replacing Walker will be impossible. Macdonald has expressed confidence in the running backs currently on the roster, particularly Holani.

Can Seattle Still Repeat?

That is the biggest question.

The Seahawks were one of the NFL’s best teams last season, finishing 14-3 before winning the Super Bowl. But losing the Super Bowl MVP creates a major hole that cannot simply be ignored.

Seattle doesn’t necessarily need one player to become the next Kenneth Walker III. The Seahawks may instead need Price, Holani, Wilson and eventually Charbonnet to collectively replace what K9 brought to the offense.

If they can do that, Seattle has enough talent elsewhere on the roster to remain a Super Bowl contender.

But if the running game struggles, opposing defenses could put more pressure on Darnold and Smith-Njigba.

K9 is gone. Now Seattle has to prove that its championship offense can survive without him.