Seahawks need both Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet to lead offense

There have been many changes to the Seattle Seahawks’ offense this offseason. The coaching staff believes it is for the better.

Among the biggest changes was the move to offensive coordinator from Ryan Grubb to Klint Kubiak. With the change, the Seahawks look to put more attention on the running game. This will be significant for new starting quarterback Sam Darnold and for running back Kenneth Walker III, who's looking to prove himself in 2025.

Walker rushed for 1,955 yards and 17 touchdowns on 447 carries in 30 games played in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2024, he rushed for only 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries in 11 games played after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in December.

Walker has continued to battle injuries and is now out with a foot injury. Although head coach Mike Macdonald shared a positive update this week on Walker, concerns about his durability remain.

This comes at a time when Zach Charbonnet and some younger running backs are finding their momentum. The good news for the Seahawks is that they could eventually rely on both Walker and Charbonnet as key players on their run-heavy offense.

Charbonnet rushed for 569 yards and eight touchdowns on 135 carries in 17 games played, with six being starts, last season. He will take on the responsibility of the offense even with Walker healthy in the lineup. The Seahawks rushed for 269 yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries in last Friday’s 33-16 preseason home win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last season, Seattle ranked 28th in the league in rushing yards per game (95.7) because it focused so heavily on the passing game. As a result, the Seahawks averaged only 22.1 points per game, which ranked 18th in the league. The offense was too predictable in the passing game under Grubb.

This season, Seattle will have the rushing game be a focal point in its offense. They will have Walker (when returning healthy), an energized Charbonnet, and an improved offensive line that likes to run the ball. Tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas like to run-block just as much as pass-protect. One lineman who might be more ready than the rest of the starters is rookie Grey Zabel.

Zabel has received high praise throughout the preseason, particularly against the Chiefs last week. He was shown to be physical and highly efficient in pass protection. Zabel says he loves to zone block even more. So far, he has been the lineman that Seattle has needed in the interior for numerous seasons.

Seahawks fans shouldn’t be concerned with Charbonnet coming to take Walker’s starting spot. Walker has been taking first-string reps in joint practices with the Green Bay Packers, but Charbonnet has been right in the main offensive run as well. 

Seattle is undergoing a major change on offense, and they will need both Walker and Charbonnet to help with the transition.