Once training camp gets going, Seahawks fans will no doubt be tuned into the new faces dotting the roster, especially with Sam Darnold at quarterback and former rival Cooper Kupp setting up at wide receiver. However, some of the old faces are worth keeping an even closer eye on.
The Seahawks have plenty of young, in-house guys to feel confident about moving forward, but when it comes to the running back room, all of Seattle would like to see more consistency and production from the talent filling the room. That all starts with Kenneth Walker III.
Walker, of course, had a solid rookie showing, topping 1,000 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and scoring nine touchdowns. But in the two seasons since, injuries have gotten in the way of his production.
Seattle Seahawks need Kenneth Walker to reemerge in 2025
With Zach Charbonnet showing a spark in his absence with a better per-carry average and more touchdowns in 2024, there’s a bit of a battle at the top of the depth chart. It seems most likely Walker will come out on top in that regard when it’s all said and done, but the pressure is mounting for the former Michigan State Spartan to get back on track.
With Darnold at quarterback and a young, raw quarterback waiting in the wings, the Seahawks need a reliable running game to lean on. Walker has a bruise-and-cruise style where he can wear down defense just as well as pop off an explosive run for chunk yardage that can be quite effective if he’s available.
But between being unavailable and those explosive runs dwindling over the past two seasons, the pressure is mounting for the 24-year-old back to get back on track.
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As long as Walker is on the practice field and not showing any signs of regression athletically, there shouldn’t be too much reason to worry. However, if he pops up with an injury during camp, the same concerns about Walker will rise.
Being a running back in today’s NFL, Walker himself can’t afford another down season. It’s a contract year for the former third-round pick, and another season plagued by injuries could make it difficult for any team to trust him as a lead back option again, let alone Seattle