Narrative about the Run game

[Captain 97]

All year there has been this narrative about the Run game that "It hasn't been as good without Walker" The popular opinion is that the run game is broken and is the biggest thing that needs to be fixed on this team.

I think that people are just looking at what Walker has done in KC and are forgetting that what walker actually did here in total was actually pretty mediocre. We get all frustrated when we see Holani or Wilson run into the back of a pile and get stuffed but that happened last year too. A lot!

last year They ran for under 90 yards 5 times including only 50 against the Colts and 60 against the Jags. When you look at the stats, surprisingly, the Seahawk's run game has not dropped off at all compared to the first seven games last year.

Last year through 7 games they had 743 Yards rushing on 202 carries for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. This season through 7 games they have 796 yards rushing on 206 carries for 3.9 Yards per carry.

Would I like to see a better running back brought in? Of course. But that is not the reason they are 4-3 right now. The issue is the turnovers which I believe stem at least in part from the massive drop off in pass protection compared to last year. Kudos to John for going out and getting an All-Pro lineman and fixing what actually needs to be fixed.

[Donn Beach]

the narrative in my mind based on Walkers start in KC was JS had let Barry Sanders walk. Walker is a good back but he ain't no Barry Sanders. Honesty, the criticism was getting off the hook. I am gonna guess all that is going to quiet down now that the Seahawks have demonstrated how you shut him down. Whatever the issues are, they don't turn on not having paid Walker. I think now you can see JS's thought process a little in terms of value. A premium offensive guard is more valuable than a premium RB, and the market backs that up. JS isn't stupid, its fine to question his decisions but the guy is playing 3D chess when his critics are playing checkers

[auroraave]

the narrative in my mind based on Walkers start in KC was JS had let Barry Sanders walk. Walker is a good back but he ain't no Barry Sanders. Honesty, the criticism was getting off the hook. I am gonna guess all that is going to quiet down now that the Seahawks have demonstrated how you shut him down. Whatever the issues are, they don't turn on not having paid Walker. I think now you can see JS's thought process a little in terms of value. A premium offensive guard is more valuable than a premium RB, and the market backs that up. JS isn't stupid, its fine to question his decisions but the guy is playing 3D chess when his critics are playing checkers

I totally missed Seattle's Barry Sanders years. Damn.

[Donn Beach]

the narrative in my mind based on Walkers start in KC was JS had let Barry Sanders walk. Walker is a good back but he ain't no Barry Sanders. Honesty, the criticism was getting off the hook. I am gonna guess all that is going to quiet down now that the Seahawks have demonstrated how you shut him down. Whatever the issues are, they don't turn on not having paid Walker. I think now you can see JS's thought process a little in terms of value. A premium offensive guard is more valuable than a premium RB, and the market backs that up. JS isn't stupid, its fine to question his decisions but the guy is playing 3D chess when his critics are playing checkers

I totally missed Seattle's Barry Sanders years. Damn.

His seattle years? ... Barry Sanders won an MVP, Walker isn't winning a MVP

Kenneth Walker III has emerged as a serious contender in the early NFL MVP conversation, earning third place in ESPN's latest ranking of candidates for the 2026 season. The Kansas City Chiefs running back has drawn attention for his impact on the offense, raising questions about whether his performances can keep him among the league's leading award contenders.

[douche]

Would I like to see a better running back brought in? Of course. But that is not the reason they are 4-3 right now. The issue is the turnovers which I believe stem at least in part from the massive drop off in pass protection compared to last year.

Agreed. This is a team that lost by 2 to WAS, lost by 3 to SF and lost by a field goal in OT against DEN.

Protect the ball, those games go the other way and, well, SEA is 7-0. Alas.

[Michael K.]

All year there has been this narrative about the Run game that "It hasn't been as good without Walker" The popular opinion is that the run game is broken and is the biggest thing that needs to be fixed on this team.

I think that people are just looking at what Walker has done in KC and are forgetting that what walker actually did here in total was actually pretty mediocre. We get all frustrated when we see Holani or Wilson run into the back of a pile and get stuffed but that happened last year too. A lot!

last year They ran for under 90 yards 5 times including only 50 against the Colts and 60 against the Jags. When you look at the stats, surprisingly, the Seahawk's run game has not dropped off at all compared to the first seven games last year.

Last year through 7 games they had 743 Yards rushing on 202 carries for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. This season through 7 games they have 796 yards rushing on 206 carries for 3.9 Yards per carry.

Would I like to see a better running back brought in? Of course. But that is not the reason they are 4-3 right now. The issue is the turnovers which I believe stem at least in part from the massive drop off in pass protection compared to last year. Kudos to John for going out and getting an All-Pro lineman and fixing what actually needs to be fixed.

I made a post about something similar a day or so ago. The run game was actually MORE efficient against Denver than KC. Fleury just abandoned it.

The issue is Fleury and his inexperience. Not Walker.

[57reasons]

All year there has been this narrative about the Run game that "It hasn't been as good without Walker" The popular opinion is that the run game is broken and is the biggest thing that needs to be fixed on this team.

I think that people are just looking at what Walker has done in KC and are forgetting that what walker actually did here in total was actually pretty mediocre. We get all frustrated when we see Holani or Wilson run into the back of a pile and get stuffed but that happened last year too. A lot!

last year They ran for under 90 yards 5 times including only 50 against the Colts and 60 against the Jags. When you look at the stats, surprisingly, the Seahawk's run game has not dropped off at all compared to the first seven games last year.

Last year through 7 games they had 743 Yards rushing on 202 carries for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. This season through 7 games they have 796 yards rushing on 206 carries for 3.9 Yards per carry.

Would I like to see a better running back brought in? Of course. But that is not the reason they are 4-3 right now. The issue is the turnovers which I believe stem at least in part from the massive drop off in pass protection compared to last year. Kudos to John for going out and getting an All-Pro lineman and fixing what actually needs to be fixed.

I made a post about something similar a day or so ago. The run game was actually MORE efficient against Denver than KC. Fleury just abandoned it.

The issue is Fleury and his inexperience. Not Walker.

Fleury wasnt the only issue. Losing Price was a big deal - this team primarily wants to run outside zone and neither Wilson or Holani have the speed to do that. so you end up running converted WR Velus Jones or even Shaheed, but i dont think you can run the whole offense with those guys given how few reps they get in practice being so far down the depth chart. But continually pounding Wilson straight ahead last week despite only marginal initial success was a savvy move by Fleury, not easy for an OC to do let alone one in his rookie campaign. Now that he has the A-team backs back, and Quentin Nelson to boot, i'm eager to see the whole offense improve - not just the run game but also the play action that Darnold is so good at.