Free Agents - Cap Space - who stays, who's gone

[Michael K.]

I guess if we can only come up with a dog shit RB that averages 2.7 yards a carry we can brag about him only being the 57th highest paid RB in the NFL.

When you have a ghost town for an RB room I wouldn't think payroll rankings around the league should matter too much. Walker finally killed it when he was allowed to be the Bell cow. Maybe not a coincidence. Maybe guys need to get in a rhythm by playing every series.

I listed off several RBs that are FAs, and there are others in the draft, and more backs that might become cap casualties. Which of these options screams to you dogshit, 2.7 yards per carry? Did you know who Chris Carson was before we took him? How about Thomas Rawls? Jeez dude, step away from the Cliff. I loved K9 too, but that was too big of a cap hit for a guy that over the course of four years and 17 game seasons averaged 889 yards and just over 7 TDs on 4.3 yards per carry! The way this place talks about him? We just lost prime Barry Sanders and our only option to replace him is Touchdown Tommy Vardell! Christ sakes. I forgot, who won the Super Bowl last year? K9, or the Seahawks?

Again, absolutely fallen in love with our own. This FO has nailed the last four drafts, NAILED everything about last off season, and now we let a guy walk that never gained more than 1050 yard in his four years, in 17 games seasons no less....and we are a dumb fuck organization that is now destined to have a Dogshit RB room? I read game threads where he ran out of bounds too much, danced around too much, wasn't a good receiver. And now he's the best back to ever wear a Hawks jersey?

[D-train]

Good thing all of our current RBs are Cal Ripken Jrs.

I thought when we trade Geno it was incredible that the had Darnold all lined up to replace him. It was like a pre ordained miracle and was awesome he pulled it off so easily and quickly. That is why I was so shocked that there are zero good options to replace Walker after just a couple days of FA especially since our only in house option that MIGHT be ready game one has 31 career carries.

That's been my point, the criticism of this off season is reminiscent of last season. Darnold wasn't viewed as an obvious replacement and there wasn't any sort of DK replacement. That there isn't an obvious walker replacement doesn't really mean anything. The issue might be it's not going to be a Walker replacement to begin with. They aren't trying to find another Walker, they are in the market for a rb that fits their offensive approach going forward. It's not so much talent as it be fit. They seem to have a Oline system now. What you want is a guy that suits that style. It could also be about a guy that is a better receiver. We really don't have a clue who they might be considering.

I thought Darnold was a PERFECT replacement. Fucker won 14 games and knocked our ass out of the playoffs with a laser in the final two minutes of the game. I was definitely more worried about replacing DK with Kupp but we had JSN to go off. Who is our JSN at RB? Velvet Jones??? LOL

Yeah I am not saying it is impossible the don't pull it off but again if they do, JS gets another exec. of the year award on the spot.

Here is a commenter on Calkins piece. I guess we just need a 5th round rookie and we are all good even though our running game sucked with TWO 2nd rounders prior to this past season. I hate when people just parrot shit they hear and think they sound smart.

The easiest position to fill in the NFL is the running back position. Kenneth Walker III is good, but he has proven not to be great, with the exception of a 4-game run. Schneider will trade back, pick up a couple more draft picks, find a serviceable back in the 5th round, and off we go.

[D-train]

I guess since Walker was JUST good not great (I agree) he can just be replace by a 5th round rookie. LMAO

[Michael K.]

I guess since Walker was JUST good not great (I agree) he can just be replace by a 5th round rookie. LMAO

Dude, again....back off the ledge. You act as though the season starts tomorrow and our roster has been filled out.

Again, AI, but not ridiculous.

Here are the primary running backs the Seahawks are interested in or targeting:

Top Free Agent Targets

Brian Robinson Jr. (San Francisco 49ers/Washington Commanders): Reports indicate Seattle is "honing in" on Robinson as a potential veteran to start or platoon in the backfield. He is viewed as a cost-effective, versatile option familiar with the NFC West.

Rachaad White (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Considered a high-priority target, White is viewed as an underutilized playmaker and strong pass protector who fits the Seahawks' need for a reliable, affordable back.

Keaton Mitchell (Baltimore Ravens): A "sleeper" option who offers elite speed (4.37-4.39 40-time) that fits the mold of a "home run" threat to replace Walker's big-play ability, though he has injury history.

Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers): Listed as a potential veteran option to fill the void.

Potential Draft Targets (2026 Class)
Because this is considered a weak draft class for running backs and the Seahawks only have four picks, they may look for mid-round value:

Jadarian Price (Notre Dame): Seen as an "explosive" option who could work in a rotation.

Jonah Coleman (Washington): Described as a "patient zone runner" and a "thumper" (5'9", 228 lbs) who could fit their offensive scheme.

Kaytron Allen (Penn State): A potential Power 5 target to bolster the run game.

Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas): A high-upside, athletic prospect for a later round.

Current Roster/Situational Context

Zach Charbonnet: While on the roster, he is recovering from a torn ACL and may miss the start of the 2026 season.

George Holani: Currently viewed as a potential starting option if no veteran is signed, though more suited for a depth role.

Kenny McIntosh: Remains in the mix but has dealt with significant injuries.

The Seahawks are likely to sign a veteran (such as Robinson or White) to a low-cost deal while also drafting a running back for long-term depth.

Brian Robinson is as good if not better than Charbo, and Price would be a perfect compliment. I like Allen and Washington as well. Coleman scares me, but would be a good story.

If they paid K9 and it impacted who they could bring back on the Defense, would you have been good with it? He had a good year....strange, contract year and he is all of a sudden only interested in not splitting carries. I didn't feel like he was dying to get on the field full time before it was time to get paid, did you?

Guys leave, guys get paid. It's part of the game. Acting as though they said fuck you Walker is silly. All signs point to him wanting no part of any kind of time share, and them not thinking he is an every down back. As much as we wanted him to be, he never has been in the NFL. And again, never rushed for more than 1050 yards a season. 1050 over 17 games is 62 yards. Maybe not paying him means we can make an upgrade inside on the O Line? I wonder if making the O Line better might ease your pain in losing 62 yards rushing per game?

[D-train]

AGAIN, no problem letting Walker go especially for $15M a year. I just would feel better if at least one were true:

1. Charb was healthy
2. Plenty of options in the draft
3. We had signed a decent FA already
4. There were still a few good FAs left
5. We have already traded for a replacement

But yes, you are right, trade market is just getting underway so I shall take a chill pill.

I just took 1.5 steps back from the cliff. ha

[Captain 97]

I wouldn't have given Walker that contract but I really don't understand why they didn't franchise him. They have the cap space this year and it would haven given them some insurance while Charbonet recovers without the potential of the contract becoming an Albatross down the line. After signing Shaheed and Jobe, they still have 42 Million of cap space left. Unless they are going to trade for a big contract, I don't see how giving Walker 14.5 Million for one year would have limited them from anything else they had in mind for this off season. In my opinion you cant go into the season with Holani, McIntosh, Jones and a possible rookie out of the draft as your only options. I would think that they will be forced to trade for somebody established at this point.

[Michael K.]

I wouldn't have given Walker that contract but I really don't understand why they didn't franchise him. They have the cap space this year and it would haven given them some insurance while Charbonet recovers without the potential of the contract becoming an Albatross down the line. After signing Shaheed and Jobe, they still have 42 Million of cap space left. Unless they are going to trade for a big contract, I don't see how giving Walker 14.5 Million for one year would have limited them from anything else they had in mind for this off season. In my opinion you cant go into the season with Holani, McIntosh, Jones and a possible rookie out of the draft as your only options. I would think that they will be forced to trade for somebody established at this point.

I wondered the same thing. We may never know, but he might have told them he wants nothing to do with playing one year under the Franchise Tag? That is of course, pure speculation on my part. Maybe they just did him a solid. Said he is going to make more somewhere else, thanks for your service? I don't see that being the case, but I guess we will never know.

Being without Charbonet sure made me think the tag was likely though.

[D-train]

I wouldn't have given Walker that contract but I really don't understand why they didn't franchise him. They have the cap space this year and it would haven given them some insurance while Charbonet recovers without the potential of the contract becoming an Albatross down the line. After signing Shaheed and Jobe, they still have 42 Million of cap space left. Unless they are going to trade for a big contract, I don't see how giving Walker 14.5 Million for one year would have limited them from anything else they had in mind for this off season. In my opinion you cant go into the season with Holani, McIntosh, Jones and a possible rookie out of the draft as your only options. I would think that they will be forced to trade for somebody established at this point.

I obviously agree.

[D-train]

I wouldn't have given Walker that contract but I really don't understand why they didn't franchise him. They have the cap space this year and it would haven given them some insurance while Charbonet recovers without the potential of the contract becoming an Albatross down the line. After signing Shaheed and Jobe, they still have 42 Million of cap space left. Unless they are going to trade for a big contract, I don't see how giving Walker 14.5 Million for one year would have limited them from anything else they had in mind for this off season. In my opinion you cant go into the season with Holani, McIntosh, Jones and a possible rookie out of the draft as your only options. I would think that they will be forced to trade for somebody established at this point.

I wondered the same thing. We may never know, but he might have told them he wants nothing to do with playing one year under the Franchise Tag? That is of course, pure speculation on my part. Maybe they just did him a solid. Said he is going to make more somewhere else, thanks for your service? I don't see that being the case, but I guess we will never know.

Being without Charbonet sure made me think the tag was likely though.

We were a bit lucky Zach's injury didn't cost us a trip to the SB. Will be a lot lucky if it doesn't this season...but hey the Football Gods owe us a great post SB win season right???

[trharder]

Brady Henderson
@BradyHenderson
·
3m
The Seahawks are signing ex-Colts safety Rodney Thomas II, as
@TomPelissero
said. I'm told it's a one-year deal.

The 27-year-old Thomas (6-1, 196) made 26 starts with six INTs in four seasons after Indy drafted him in the seventh-round out of Yale, where he also played corner.