Why Seahawks GM John Schneider didn't do more to retain Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III

Long before it was learned that running back and Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player Kenneth Walker III would be leaving the Seattle Seahawks to join the Kansas City Chiefs, it became clear that Seahawks general manager John Schneider had no interest in getting into a bidding war for Walker's services or using the franchise tag to retain Walker. 

During a Thursday appearance on Seattle Sports 710, Schneider addressed his handling of a situation that involved adding free-agent Emanuel Wilson to a backfield occupied by former undrafted free agent George Holani, 2023 seventh-round draft pick Kenny McIntosh and injured ball-carrier Zach Charbonnet.

John Schneider clearly doesn't value the RB position as do some other teams

"That’s a position that you can find guys," Schneider explained, per Cameron Van Til of Seattle Sports. "And obviously, (Walker was) outstanding, and everybody’s really excited for him. ... But George did a great job. We’re really excited about Emanuel Wilson, who we got from Green Bay, a heavy runner with really nice feet."

According to ESPN stats, Walker led the Seahawks this past regular season with 221 carries and 1,027 rushing yards. He later rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries and caught two passes for 26 yards in Seattle's Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots. 

To compare, Wilson was second on the Green Bay Packers for the 2025 regular season with 125 carries, 496 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. As for McIntosh, he is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last summer. Charbonnet went down with a torn ACL in mid-January, and he almost certainly will miss at least some time this coming fall. 

John Schneider sends message to concerned fans about RB room

"Just to kind of quell people, at this time of the year, I get it," Schneider added during his comments. "But like, (Charbonnet) is doing great. Kenny McIntosh, he had a great (2024) season, and that was just an awful injury for him. But I get it. And it’s a position that … we know where we’re at right now." 

Such confidence likely will mean little to fans who fear the team's offense is worse today than it was when Walker got his hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February.