Could the Seahawks actually trade away a running back?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 17: Zach Charbonnet #26 of the Seattle Seahawks enters the field during player introductions prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

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What is the story about?

With the NFL trade deadline looming, there is lots of discussion about who the Seattle Seahawks could trade for. However, the trade deadline works both ways, and the Seahawks could potentially be in position to trade away some of their own players. That is not to say that Seattle will be sellers this trade season – they are still Super Bowl contenders despite their 3-3 record. However, if Seattle were to make a trade for another running back, along with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price nearing

a return from injury, suddenly Seattle’s running back room could get too crowded. With that, let’s look at why Seattle could potentially be interested in trading one of their running backs away.

The argument for making a run at a running back like Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, or Tony Pollard is that they can automatically bring a spark to the running back room that has struggled mightily this season. Yes, Zach Charbonnet is about to return from his ACL injury and Jadarian Price is only a few weeks away. However, Price has yet to show that he is ready to shoulder the load of an NFL offense, and Charbonnet, is on an expiring contract. Plus with Charbonnet, you never know how a player will look post ACL-surgery. Hopefully he is back to normal, however, Seattle needs to be prepared in case he doesn’t look like the Charbonnet of old.

However, Seattle may need to put some of their own running backs on the trade block to help facilitate a trade for a Barkley, Taylor, or Pollard. That would include Emanuel Wilson, George Holani, or even Charbonnet, all three of which are on expiring contracts. If Seattle were to make a move for another running back, that would be a clear signal that none of these three running backs are in the Seahawks plans post-2026.

Zach Charbonnet

Charbonnet is coming back from his ACL-injury. Typically, other teams will not be interested in making a move for a player who has not proven that he is back to his old self. However, with the trade deadline being November 10th, the Seahawks could audition Charbonnet for a few weeks, show that he is back to his old self and use him as a chip to add to a package for another running back. All of that being said, in my opinion, Charbonnet would be the least likely of the Seahawks’ running backs to be shipped off. Charbonnet is a huge locker room presence, and to trade him away after a long, grueling, and miraculously quick ACL rehab process would likely shake the locker room in a negative way.

George Holani or Emanuel Wilson

On the other hand, Wilson and Holani are also both on expiring contracts. If Seattle were to trade for a running back, neither of these players would likely see the field on offense again, which would make them even more expendable. Holani has struggled mightily this season (although he did show some juice against the Denver Broncos in week six). Holani’s history of being a solid pass blocker and pass catcher could give him some interest as part of a trade package.

Wilson, despite his clear athletic limitations, has been a slight sign of light in the otherwise dark and fainthearted Seahawks run game. It is this sign of light that could allow Wilson to have interest in a trade package as well. Despite signing with the Seahawks this past offseason, the Wilson signing always felt like a bandaid until Charbonnet returned from injury. Now that Charbonnet is back, Wilson is a logical trade package candidate – or even straight trade candidate, regardless if Seattle is using him to obtain another running back.

Robert Henry Jr. or Velus Jones Jr.

At the bottom of the depth chart are Henry Jr. and Jones Jr. The Seahawks just signed Henry Jr. off of the Washington Commanders practice squad. Considering this recent move, along with having Henry Jr. under contract for three seasons would all point to him not being a player John Schneider would want to move off of. Plus, Henry Jr. went undrafted in 2026 and was free to join any other 53-man roster for most of the 2026 season. This all indicates that other teams would not likely be interested in Henry Jr. as part of a trade package.

Meanwhile, Jones Jr. has been on and off of the Seahawks active roster and practice squad. This also indicates that Jones Jr. would not move the needle much in any trade package the Seahawks could offer.

Prediction

Just to make a fool out of myself, here is a trade proposal that could make sense for another running back.

Jonathan Taylor to Seattle for Emanuel Wilson, 2nd round pick, 3rd round pick.

With Seattle having a plethora of 2027 draft picks (including multiple 3rd round picks), giving up 2nd and 3rd round picks would be easy to make this trade happen. The bigger question is if the Colts would accept such a package. If Taylor is indeed on the move, the Seahawks will likely be in a bidding war. Two day-two draft picks, plus a serviceable running back in Wilson may be enough to make this happen. In this hypothetical trade, this would leave Seattle with the following depth chart.

Velus Jones Jr. (contract through 2026)

Jonathan Taylor (contract through 2027)

Jadarian Price (contract through 2029/30 with 5th year option)

Zach Charbonnet (contract through 2026)

George Holani (contract through 2026)

Robert Henry Jr. (contract through 2028)

What do you think of this hypothetical trade? Will the Seahawks trade a running back away? Let us know in the comments!