Mike Macdonald Reaffirms Commitment to Jadarian Price Despite Fumbles

Sep 27, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles (52) deflects a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Mike Macdonald Reaffirms Commitment to Jadarian Price Despite Fumbles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Bryce Lazenby | Last updated Sep 28, 2026 9:49 PM ET

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Mike Macdonald and the Seattle Seahawks are finally facing some adversity.

In Week 3, the team lost for the first time in almost a year. It was a shocking result, but also not the end of the world. It’s hard to blame the loss on any one thing, but turnovers and the lack of a running game are definitely two primary culprits.

We didn’t think the run game was going to be a worry. The team let Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency, but the team added Jadarian Price in the first round of the draft. The thinking was that Price was going to be a workhorse from Day 1, but that hasn’t been the case.

Price has had to split carries, and even when he’s been on the field, he hasn’t been impressive. The rookie lost a fumble in Week 3, which was his second lost fumble in two weeks.

Price was benched for several possessions after fumbling in Week 3. It was disappointing, but an understandable move by Macdonald. On Monday, the coach did what he could to ensure the running back still had his confidence.

Macdonald Confirms Price is Still Starter

On Monday, Macdonald spoke with the media and provided updates on several things.

Naturally, the Price situation got brought up. Macdonald was asked whether or not Price was being benched going forward, and the coach denied that would be the case.

“We’re going to continue to give him the ball,” Macdonald said.

Coach Mike Macdonald to us today on rookie RB Jadarian Price, after his in-game benching for fumbling for the 2nd time in 2 #Seahawks games:

“We’re going to continue to give him the ball.”

(: Getty) pic.twitter.com/orOeKafyaQ
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 29, 2026

This is the right move, but it’s also pretty much the only move.

Neither Emanuel Wilson nor George Holani has impressed much when Price isn’t in the game. Against the Commanders, Wilson took nine carries for just 14 yards, while Holani took three carries for 10 yards.

Basically, there’s no other option but to hope Price figures it out. He’s only played in three games so far, and he’s never had more than 13 carries in a game. It’s not surprising to see the running back struggle early, but he needs to get it going as soon as possible.

The Seahawks do have reinforcements coming in soon. Zach Charbonnet is on the PUP list and can technically come back after Week 4. It will be interesting to see if the team activates the running back’s practice window this week.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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