The Seattle Seahawks may be struggling at running back this season, but general manager John Schneider isn’t fazed.
With Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III signing in Kansas City and Zach Charbonnet coming off a knee injury that likely won’t keep him ready for Week 1, the Seahawks don’t have a clear No. 1 back. Their current options include former undrafted free agent George Holani, free agent Emanuel Wilson, who signed after three seasons as Green Bay’s backup, Cam Akers, who has bounced around in recent years, former seventh baseman Kenny McIntosh, who is injured, and converted receiver Velus Jones.
For Schneider, the situation is closer to a hole in the brick that can be plugged rather than a foundation problem that could cripple the house.
“It’s a position you can find guys,” Schneider said of running backs on his weekly show on Seattle Sports. “And obviously, (Walker was) outstanding, and everybody’s really excited about him. I mean, it’s a great, great deal for a quarterback. But George 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 suffocate people, at this time of year, I get it. But like, (Charbonnet) is doing great. Kenny McIntosh, he had a great season (2024) and it was just a horrible injury for him. But I get it. And it’s a situation that … we know where we are now.”
Scheider pointed to his history of finding quarterbacks, going back to his days in Green Bay, when the Packers acquired Ryan Grant in a trade before the start of the 2007 season, who then went on to have three straight 900-plus-yard rushing seasons.
The general manager pointed to the depth of the current quarterback and indicated he believes the coaching staff can muster production even if Charbonnet is slow to start the season. Schenider particularly shined on Holani, who, as it stands now, would play an important role.
“George is one of those guys who does everything really well,” Schneider said Thursday. “He catches the ball, passes defense, doesn’t put the ball on the ground, really good instincts and he’s a true pro. Like, he just has a great personality.”
The Seahawks could still draft a running back early, but that’s clearly not a concern keeping Schneider awake at night.