The Seattle Seahawks had to look forward to the future in the 2026 NFL draft because that is what all teams need to do. Seattle has simply done it better than most since John Schneider became the team's general manager in 2010. Multiple playoff appearances and two Super Bowl wins have followed.
But good drafts often mean bad things for players already on the roster. In the case of Seattle, the player who has lost ground without being directly involved in the draft is running back Zach Charbonnet. The reason has little to do with his performance through three seasons, too.
The team has trusted Charbonnet, but only to a degree. Kenneth Walker III remained the starter even though he missed six games in 2024 and was inconsistent in his production. Charbonnet was more of a bruising back with less explosiveness. That hasn't changed after Seattle chose Jadarina Price in the first round of the 2026 draft.
Seattle Seahawks choosing Jadarian Price probably means bad things for Zach Charbonnet
What has changed is that the former UCLA product, and 2023 second-round draft pick, is coming off a torn ACL in the playoffs, and he might not be ready for the start of next season. That season, of course, is the last of the running back's rookie deal, which means Seattle has to decide whether they want to re-sign him or move on.
Price could make that decision a lot easier. Plus, the team signed Emanuel Wilson in free agency, and while that is only for a single season, Wilson could be productive enough in 2026 that he earns a second season, and that could be as the backup to Jadarian Price.
The drawback is that Zach Charbonnet is not only a fairly productive running back when healthy, but he is also a good person. He is the kind of player that the Seahawks try to keep as part of the culture of the team. The hope is that Zach Charbonnet returns healthy for the first part of next season and is productive.
What he doesn't appear to be at this point is the presumed starter moving forward. He hasn't been that at any point in his career, and that is telling. Seattle obviously wants a back with explosiveness, as Walker had, and who can blame the team? That's what everyone wants.
Charbonnet probably does deserve to be a starter somewhere, though. He has power with bursts of speed. But Jadarian Price is not only Kenneth Walker's replacement, but Charbonnet's too.
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