Seattle Seahawks’ Backfield Shift Is Testing Their New Offense

The Seattle Seahawks have already had to revise their backfield plan two games into Brian Fleury’s first season as offensive coordinator. Rookie running back Jadarian Price sustained what Locked On Seahawks host Rob Rang characterized as a relatively minor injury, and running back Emanuel Wilson immediately inherited a 21-carry workload. Seattle’s response will offer an early measure of whether Fleury’s adaptability can keep the ground game productive without disrupting the rest of the offense.

Rang pointed to the adjustment as the clearest early sign of Fleury’s approach. Rather than remaining tied to the wide-zone identity associated with former coordinator Klint Kubiak, Rang said Fleury has mixed gap concepts, power runs, counter trey, and double-team looks while changing the featured ball carrier. That flexibility matters with Price unavailable because Wilson’s heavier workload asks the offense to preserve its physical identity without becoming predictable.

Locked On Seahawks host Dan Viens noted that the offense has produced 22 points per game through two contests while gaining more per rush than it did through the same point last season. Rang argued that Seattle’s commitment to the run also serves head coach Mike Macdonald’s complementary-football priorities, even when it contributes to uneven third-down results. The Seahawks improved from 2-for-11 on third down in Week 1 to 6-for-13 against the Arizona Cardinals, a jump Rang partially credited to quarterback Drew Lock’s comfort operating the offense.

The backfield adjustment also increases the importance of Fleury’s red-zone sequencing. Seattle answered a scoreless first-half red-zone trip against Arizona with two touchdown passes from Lock to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after halftime. Rang expects shorter throws, tight-end usage, and physical runs to remain central near the goal line, giving Fleury ways to protect a reshaped running back rotation while still creating favorable matchups.

Wilson’s workload against the Washington Commanders should clarify whether Seattle views the 20-carry outing as a one-week necessity or the start of a larger role while Price, who was limited during practice Wednesday and Thursday, recovers. Fleury has shown a willingness to change personnel and run concepts quickly; sustaining that adaptability is now the offense’s immediate backfield test.

Seahawks News and Notes

– Guard Anthony Bradford (knee) went on injured reserve after aggravating the injury in practice, creating an opening for Christian Haynes and Beau Stephens. Rang and Viens both favored Haynes’ Arizona performance, and Rang said he expects Haynes to receive the starting nod and most of the snaps unless Stevens makes a significant push against Washington.

– Wide receiver Tory Horton appears positioned as the No. 4 option behind Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, according to Rang. He expects Seattle’s deep tight end room and run-heavy approach to limit Horton’s weekly offensive snaps, though Shaheed’s early drop and fumble could create a larger opening if those issues persist.