After their 21-19 loss in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams, it’s safe to say the Seattle Seahawks are looking for answers on the offensive side of the ball.
Sam Darnold threw four interceptions in this game, but there was a sign of hope in the rough. A sign that, if exploited, could change the dynamic of this offense and make Seattle one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.
Running backs in today’s league come in multiple styles. Some are power backs who look to run defenses over with a physical brand of football. Others are speedsters who stay patient and agile, waiting for the moment to dart through a gap and slip tackles. They excel at different things, and while general managers have their preferences, the Seahawks seem to have a mix and match situation on their hands.
A Case Of Mix ‘N’ Match
Kenneth Walker III, drafted 41st overall in 2022, was a walking highlight reel coming out of Michigan State. He looked to improve his talents in the NFL, and he did just that by posting a 1,000-yard rookie season. However, injuries became an issue, and he has still never finished a full season. The Seahawks had a problem, so they drafted another young running back to lighten Walker’s workload.
In 2023, Seattle used its second-round pick on Zach Charbonnet. Many questioned whether Walker’s job was already in jeopardy, but the Seahawks had a different role in mind for the rookie.
The hidden piece in this Seahawks puzzle is John Schneider’s long-term vision. The offense before Walker and Charbonnet arrived was in disarray. They were still picking up the pieces after Chris Carson’s sudden retirement, and that wasn’t a problem solved overnight. It took years to build and develop, but in 2025 this offense finally looks ready to be unleashed.
The Secret Formula
Many people ask, “Who is better?” instead of, “What brings the most success?” To say it plainly, the one-two punch in Seattle’s backfield has a real chance to become one of the best rushing attacks in football.
Charbonnet is a tank in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Walker slips through tackles in the flats as a receiving threat. Together, they have the potential to form a top-three rushing duo with the playoffs swiftly approaching.
Now, the stats don’t exactly back this up yet. According to ESPN after Week 12, the Seahawks have the 14th-ranked rushing attack, basically middle of the pack. However, they’re second in the league in rushing attempts per game at 29.7, according to TeamRankings. It’s not that the run game isn’t good or that Klint Kubiak isn’t trying; the scheme is simply still a work in progress.
The duo has shown growth over the last two weeks. Walker posted back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time since his rookie season in 2022. Charbonnet continues to steal Walker’s touchdowns as the power back, but this is the system that works for Seattle.
JWith the best deep-ball receiver in the NFL, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Sam Darnold at the helm, the run game is essential to making this offense function. Darnold is a game-manager right now, a product of the system; but he can make necessary throws when needed. That, however, is a story for another day.
The Seahawks earned a big win this week over the Tennessee Titans, 30-24, and will look to keep that momentum going against a reeling Minnesota Vikings squad next week.
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