For those hoping for a dynamic duo at running back for the Seattle Seahawks in 2026, much like Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet have been for a few seasons, that might not unfold. Charbonnet likely won't return for much of the season.
Fans might have also been hoping that while Charbonnet tore his ACL in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last season, he could return somewhat early next year. According to ESPN's Seahawks reporter Brady Henderson, the best-case scenario for Charbonnet would be for a December return.
In other words, the powerful running back is likely to miss at least three-quarters of the season. Seattle obviously knew this when they let Walker leave in free agency, but general manager John Schneider also wasn't going to overspend to have Walker return. After all, keeping a tight grip on the financials of a team is not a one-season deal, but a long-term approach.
Seattle Seahawks likely won't get Zach Charbonnet back until December, at the earliest
Charbonnet's absence puts even more pressure on rookie Jadarian Price to be good immediately. Seattle does have a slew of backups at the position, such as George Holani and free agent acquisition Emanuel Wilson, among others, but all are unproven or have never proven they should get a lot of reps.
The assumption is that Price will be ready in Week 1. Two things have to be true for him to be successful, though. One is that he needs to be efficient in pass protection. If he allows quarterback Sam Darnold to get hit too often. Price won't play as much.
The second part is that the Notre Dame product needs to show he can do something that he wasn't asked to do much in college: Catch passes. He appears to have that skill, but he might see more targets in his first season with the Seahawks than he ever did for the Fighting Irish (he only had 15 catches in three seasons).
Even when Zach Charbonnet returns, he might not be completely healthy. The Seattle Seahawks are certainly not going to rush him back, either.
The negative part for the running back is that he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Prospective teams will have to offer Charbonnet a contract assuming he can continue playing at the level he was before his injury, but not based on his production in 2026.
That might help the Seahawks keep Zach Charbonnet around past next season, however. He might want to return on a one-year prove-it deal, but then he and Price might form the same kind of excellent running back duo that Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker did.
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