The Seattle Seahawks' running game hasn't been all that it could be this season. The answer is obvious: they're missing a key player from the running back room. Surprise: it isn't the guy you thought of first.
We hoped that Zach Charbonnet would be back for the game against the Chiefs, but unfortunately, that isn't happening. While it may not be disastrous, it's bad enough news to put a damper on the12s' expectations. At least Anthony Bradfrod will be back. I'm scared about his pass protection, but at least he'll help the run blocking.
So no Charbonnet, and his best bud, Kenneth Walker III, is coming back to Seattle. Walker, as we know all too well, is leading the league in rushing. And he's undoubtedly motivated to show just how big a mistake it was for the Seahawks to let him go in free agency. The answer to Seattle's woes may not be coming this Sunday, but it could be close. Again, it isn't what you think.
Seattle Seahawks need a true fullback on the field
The Seahawks are mired in the middle of the pack in the ground game. They currently rank 18th in total yards and 18th in yards per attempt. For a team with a history of backs like Curt Warner, Shaun Alexander, and Marshawn Lynch, that just isn't right. Funny thing is, all three of them have one thing in common. They all had great fullbacks to help lead the way.
John L. Williams opened holes for Warner, while Mack Strong got the call to blow through the line for Alexander. While he didn't match the first two Seahawks legends in production, Mike Robinson played a major role in the evolution of the player who became Beast Mode. What many 12s don't realize is that Seattle had the new incarnation of those selfless players, and they miss him badly.
One of Seattle's fifth-round picks in the 2025 draft, Robbie Oustz didn't touch the ball once as a rookie. Yet he had an outsized effect on the season, one that is still overlooked today. Don't worry, 12s, we don't need to get too mathy for this one. For the TL;DR crowd, well, you're far past that already. Suffice it to say, the Seahawks' running game was much better with Oustz on the field.
Oustz played in the first 12 games last year and is out for this entire season. I have no doubt Seattle's running attack would look so much better if he could play. The reason is simple, and just a bit mathy. With Oustz in the lineup, the Seahawks averaged 2.6 more yards per carry than without him.
Seattle's star backs, Walker and Charbonnet, each ran for a much higher average, with the 274-pound fullback leading the way. Charbonnet averaged 5.4 yards per carry; without him, that average dropped to 3.6 yards. Walker showed an even more dramatic difference. With Oustz crushing would-be tacklers, K9 ran for 7.1 yards per attempt. Without Oustz, that dropped three full yards to 4.1.
This is no isolated incident. The Ravens are seeing the same thing with their star back, Derrick Henry. Massive fullback Patrick Ricard left Baltimore this season for the Giants. Henry averaged 4.3 yards per carry in his last three seasons with the Titans. Then his average jumped to 5.9 following Ricard's blocks in 2024. Last season, he still averaged 5.2. Without Ricard, he's at a 4.2 average.
Since you asked, no, the Chiefs don't use a lead fullback often. The difference is that Kansas City's offensive line can run block, unlike you-know-who. The Chiefs' run blockers rank seventh in the league in win rate on running plays. The Seahawks rank 25th and are dead last in yards before contact for their running backs. Still, they have to run the ball, somehow.
Simply put, Seattle needs a fullback who can crush that first tackler and romp into the secondary as needed. Zach Charbonnet's return will help the run game immensely, as will the eventual return of rookie Zadarian Price. But can someone check on Mike Rob and see if he still has his cleats?
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