As has been pretty much expected for weeks, the Seattle Seahawks will need a new starting running back following the free agent departure of Kenneth Walker III. The Super Bowl MVP—we’re obligated to remind everyone that the Seahawks won the Super Bowl—signed a lucrative contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, who need all the running back help they can get given their woes at that position.
Some of the most notable free agent running backs who could’ve been seen as potential Seahawks options are already
off the board. Tyler Allgeier went to the Arizona Cardinals, Rico Dowdle opted for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenneth Gainwell (who’s not really a three-down back) left Pittsburgh for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and J.K. Dobbins re-signed with the Denver Broncos.
With Zach Charbonnet’s timetable for recovery from his ACL tear not exactly certain, the Seahawks’ current running back group consists of George Holani (25 career carries, 18 of which came in garbage time), Cam Akers (didn’t even get a carry for Seattle despite numerous practice squad elevations), Kenny McIntosh (31 career carries and coming off his own ACL tear), Velus Jones Jr (only just switched to running back this year and has four carries at the position), and Jacardia Wright (practice squad player who missed most of the year with an ankle injury).
As we enter day two of the legal tampering period, here are a few viable options for the Seahawks to replace K9 as RB1 or perhaps fill in for Charbonnet pending the length of his absence.
The familiarity choice: Brian Robinson Jr
Robinson started his career with the Washington Commanders before he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers last year. As a starter, his yards per carry increased in every season from 3.9 to 4.1 to 4.3, although he was not a consistently explosive runner. The former Alabama player has familiarity with new Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, so he’s a logical choice to join the Seahawks.
The one caution I have with Robinson is eight career fumbles in Washington, which is a major departure from the airtight ball security of Walker and Charbonnet. Robinson didn’t fumble with the 49ers but he also only had 92 carries over 17 games.
The injury discount choice: Najee Harris
What a weird year for Harris. He never missed a game with the Pittsburgh Steelers and (while it never felt like it) rushed for over 1,000 yards all four seasons in Pittsburgh. A fireworks mishap caused an eye injury before his debut with the Los Angeles Chargers started, and by game three he blew out his Achilles.
Harris is not an explosive runner; five years in the NFL and the next 40+ yard run will be his first. He does tend to run with purpose and power to make up for a lack of great speed and open-field elusiveness. Any thought of signing him would be on a cheap 1-year deal, but at least he’s got the resume of a starting running back.
The Bucs stop here choice: Rachaad White and/or Sean Tucker
It looked like Rachaad White was headed toward bust territory after not even cracking 3.8 yards per carry over his first two seasons. His success rate shot up to beyond 50 percent under offensive coordinator Liam Coen and improved under the (since fired) replacement OC Josh Grizzard. White generally split time with Bucky Irving, who’s pretty much RB1 at this point in Tampa Bay. He had a breakout year as a receiving back in 2024 with 51 catches for 393 yards and six touchdowns. Much like Brian Robinson, White has had some fumble problems, but kept a clean slate in 2025 after nine fumbles in his previous three seasons.
Tucker has been the definition of a low volume player with intriguing upside. The former Syracuse star went undrafted but has seen his touches significantly increase in each of his three NFL seasons. Tucker rushed for seven touchdowns last year, albeit with a 3.7 YPC average and spotty production outside of a 106-yard, two-touchdown outing against the Buffalo Bills. What stands out about Tucker is his speed, of which Walker’s will be hard to replace. With only 151 carries over three years, the idea of Tucker as an every down back seems ambitious, but a change-of-pace cheap back is very realistic.
An af-Ford-able choice: Jerome Ford
To my amazement, Jerome Ford has only been in the NFL for four years when it feels like it’s easily been seven or eight. When Nick Chubb suffered his career-altering injury in 2023, Ford became the lead back and struggled for efficiency (39.7% success rate) but nevertheless had 813 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, as well as 44 catches and five receiving TDs. The 26-year-old had a more efficient follow-up season even without being a full-time starter, averaging a career-best 5.6 yards per touch.
Ford does provide an element of speed and smooth change of direction, although he also was among the league leaders in negative runs from 2023-2024.
In a better offense with better blocking, there’s a chance Ford could flourish and be a more productive/less volatile back, but a knock on him has been his decision-making/vision. Signing Ford would be very much a “camp body competition” addition and not a declarative “new RB1” acquisition.
The veteran choice: Aaron Jones
The Minnesota Vikings are going to release Jones unless they somehow find a trade partner for a 32-year-old running back who missed five games and otherwise lost his spot as a starting back to Jordan Mason. Jones was once a dangerous player for the Green Bay Packers, but those days appear to be fading away. He’s theoretically a proven starting caliber back who is a threat as a receiver and can pass protect on third downs, but “veteran” sometimes is code for “old and declining.” Running back ain’t the position you really want to invest too much on the hopes of a career revival after the age of 30.
I’d be fairly disappointed if the Seahawks went the Jones route.
The young flyer choice: Keaton Mitchell
Remember him?
An ACL tear cut his rookie season short and limited his playing time in 2024. Mitchell returned to Baltimore’s RB rotation in 2025, rushing for 341 yards and a touchdown on only 59 carries. Baltimore did not tender him as a restricted free agent, which means the speedy Mitchell (4.37 in the 40-yard dash) is now unrestricted and wouldn’t count against the Seahawks in the comp pick formula. Starting back? Let’s ease up there. But he may be a fit in Seattle’s running back room if he reunites with Mike Macdonald.
Do any of these names (or someone I’ve omitted) interest you? Either way, the Seahawks are surely going to be sniffing around in the draft for a rookie running back. Make your voice heard in the comments!
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