The Seattle Times Seahawks

Cook was the last running back to rush for 100 or more yards against Seattle, gaining 111 yards on Oct. 27, 2024. This context is relevant as Kenneth Walker III faces Seattle's defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last 35 games.

Gibbs signed a new deal with Detroit at $22.5 million per year, the highest average for a running back in NFL history. This contract has since pushed Kenneth Walker III's $14.35 million average with the Chiefs down to ninth among running backs, as five other running backs have inked new deals since Walker's March signing.

Shaheed was re-signed by Seattle as part of the team's positional investments instead of paying Kenneth Walker III. He was among the receivers and defensive players the Seahawks prioritized in their 2025 offseason spending.

Smith-Njigba signed a new deal with Seattle keeping him through 2031, making him the highest-paid receiver in league history. This was one of the key positional investments the Seahawks made instead of paying Kenneth Walker III, prioritizing receiver and cornerback positions alongside other defensive extensions.

Price, drafted by Seattle in the first round in 2025 out of Notre Dame as part of the plan to replace Kenneth Walker III's production, has played just three games due to a chest injury and won't play against the Chiefs as that is the last game he is required to spend on injured reserve.

Charbonnet has yet to play in 2025 after tearing his ACL on Jan. 17 but may finally return to the field Sunday against the Chiefs for the first time since the injury. He was part of Seattle's plan to replace Kenneth Walker III's production by committee, but the Seahawks have not yet seen if that plan might work due to his absence.

Walker is now the primary ball carrier for the Chiefs, playing 75% of snaps heading into Week 5, a significant increase from his time-share role with the Seahawks in 2025 when he played 498 snaps (46%) to Zach Charbonnet's 490 snaps (46%). Walker is thought to have desired a chance to be the main ball carrier, which he now has with Kansas City.

Walker faces a Seattle defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last 35 games; the last running back to rush for 100+ yards against Seattle was James Cook of Buffalo on Oct. 27, 2024. This matchup pits Walker's historic rushing pace against one of the league's most stingy run defenses.

Walker leads the NFL with 665 rushing yards and 6.3 yards per carry through five games; he rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns in Week 5 against the Chargers. He is the only second player since 1970 to rush for more than 650 yards with six or more rushing touchdowns in his team's first five games, joining Terrell Davis of Denver in 1998 (who rushed for 2,008 yards and won NFL MVP that season).

Walker is on historic pace to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards; averaging 133 yards per game through five games (665 total yards), he is on pace for 2,261 yards in a 17-game season, which would surpass Dickerson's 16-game record pace of 131.6 yards per game. Only O.J. Simpson (143.1 ypg in 1973) and Jim Brown (133.1 ypg in 1963) have averaged more yards per game in an NFL season.

Running back is expected to return and join Kenneth Price to give Seattle the 1-2 punch at running back that the Seahawks envisioned on draft day.

Running back signed off Washington's practice squad before the San Francisco 49ers game and is on the 53-man roster; has not been active since he was signed.

Receiver has returned to the roster, making it difficult for 2026 draft pick Jalen Henderson to get snaps at the receiver position; Henderson remains on the practice squad.

Acquired as a return-coverage ace, Charles made his Seahawks debut in Week 6 after missing the first five games with a torn ACL, limiting his early impact.

Lost to Las Vegas in free agency, Young has contributed as a kick returner for the Raiders, representing another failed retention by the Seahawks' offseason.

Lost to Las Vegas in free agency, White has exploded for three receiving touchdowns (tied for team lead) under Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, representing a significant missed opportunity for the Seahawks.

Despite re-signing to a three-year, $51 million deal last offseason—more than Kenneth Walker III received in Kansas City—Shaheed remains difficult to incorporate consistently in the offense; he contributed five catches for 66 yards and 116 return yards against Denver but the source notes it remains bafflingly difficult to spotlight him regularly.

Charbonnet's eventual return from injury is viewed as a potential stabilizing force for the Seahawks' struggling running game, though the source notes it remains uncertain whether one or two returns can fix the deeper offensive issues.

Wilson, signed as a free-agent veteran running back, has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry combined with George Holani and Velus Jones Jr., indicating the Seahawks' running back rotation has failed to replace Kenneth Walker III's production.

After fumbling twice in his first three games as the Seahawks' first-round running back replacement for Kenneth Walker III, Price was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury, limiting early impact assessment.

Walker leads the NFL in yards per carry (6.2) and rushing yards per game (134.3) with Kansas City, demonstrating elite efficiency despite the Seahawks' decision to let him leave via free agency rather than franchise tag him.

After throwing two more interceptions in the Seahawks' second straight loss, Darnold declined to compare his 2026 season to 2025, suggesting the team has regressed and needs significant improvement across multiple areas.

Running back George Holani, who often plays on third downs, was judged by PFF as allowing four hurries in 13 pass-block snaps against Denver.

Kenneth Walker III and the Kansas City Chiefs are coming to town this week; the source notes there is much consternation about the Seahawks' running game, which will only get more scrutiny with this matchup.

Against Denver, Darnold was 21 of 30 for 220 yards when not pressured but 7 of 20 for 58 yards with five sacks and four throwaways when pressured; the pressure differential illustrates how pass-blocking regression has impacted his performance.

Darnold has thrown seven interceptions in the past four games, matching the total he threw in the entire 2023 season; the source notes there is understandable focus on Darnold in the wake of the past four games as the Seahawks have lost 10 turnovers with Darnold throwing two picks in each of their three defeats this season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick criticized Nix's performance (17 for 27, 107 yards) as 'almost disrespectful to the quarterback position' and 'not playing competitive football,' expressing concern about effort and competitive level despite the Broncos' win; Fitzpatrick questioned whether Nix is still injured and expressed doubt about his commitment.

Darnold has thrown seven interceptions over four games this season; the source notes the Seahawks need a quarterback who can keep the ball in Seattle's hands and kill the clock, but 'they haven't gotten that level of play from Darnold this season,' contrasting with backup Drew Lock's performance.

Despite an ankle injury managed through practice week and a slow start (2 catches, 11 yards on opening drive), JSN finished with 12 receptions on 16 targets for 134 yards, described as 'easily the biggest highlight, perhaps the only one' on an ugly offensive day for the Seahawks.

Rookie running back Jadarian Price, currently on injured reserve with a chest injury, must sit out one more game but is eligible to return for the Chicago Bears game on November 2. Macdonald indicated a 'sooner-rather-than-later return' is expected after the upcoming game, suggesting Price will likely be activated when eligible.

Tight end Elijah Arroyo left Thursday night's game against Denver in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Macdonald said Arroyo was undergoing tests and more information would be known later, leaving his status uncertain for upcoming games.

Drew Lock filled in for Darnold in two games (Week 1 win over New England and Week 2 win at Arizona) and did not throw an interception while tossing four touchdowns and completing 72.9% of his passes. However, Macdonald cautioned against making a direct one-for-one comparison between Lock and Darnold, noting that the game-calling, play-calling approach, and catering to Lock's skill set were different factors that contributed to Lock's performance and should not be isolated as evidence of superiority.

Coach Mike Macdonald stated emphatically he is not considering a quarterback change and reiterated confidence in Darnold despite recent turnover issues. Macdonald said 'We have a lot of faith in Sam. Sam has played great football for us. He's done a lot of great things this year' and emphasized that the Seahawks won a Super Bowl championship with Darnold, framing him as part of the solution rather than the problem. Macdonald also praised Darnold for taking ownership of his performance, saying 'He's the leader of our offense' and expressing gladness that Darnold was the first to take responsibility.

Darnold has thrown seven interceptions in the last four games, including two late in Thursday night's 17-14 loss to Denver, one of which came in overtime and led directly to the Broncos' game-winning 53-yard field goal. He has already thrown half as many interceptions in the last four games as he threw all of last season (14 in 17 games), representing a significant spike in turnover rate during a stretch where the Seahawks have lost three of their last four games.

Shaheed was targeted on a play where Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillan stepped in front of the pass on the sideline at the Seattle 43-yard line, leading to Denver's game-winning field goal drive.

Harvey, Denver's leading receiver, was held to just 31 yards by Seattle's lockdown secondary.

Dobbins was shut down by Seattle's defense, finishing with just 41 yards on 17 carries as Denver's rushing attack was handcuffed.

Nix was harassed into a miserable 107 yards on 17-of-27 passing against Seattle's dominant defense, which held Denver to just 168 total yards and shut them out in the second half.

Jones combined with running backs Emanuel Wilson and George Holani for a forgettable 92 yards, four yards per carry in the Seahawks' loss to Denver. The running back group's underperformance was part of a collage of underperforming offensive parts.

Holani combined with running backs Emanuel Wilson and Velus Jones for a forgettable 92 yards, four yards per carry, though he did score a 1-yard touchdown in the Seahawks' loss to Denver. The running back group's underperformance was part of a collage of underperforming offensive parts.