While losing reigning Super Bowl MVP running back, Kenneth Walker III may have felt like a gut punch, the offseason acquisition window for the Seattle Seahawks is far, far away from being over. Seattle is rumored to be weighing one option in particular to join the Pacific Northwest galaxy of stars that just won a championship.
NFL insider, Mike Garafolo has hinted at the Seahawks keeping tabs on the market for former Buccaneers back, Rachaad White.
Rachaad White brings to the table a multifaceted skillset that includes pass-catching and pass-protecting skills.
White shared time with Leonard Fournette (his last full season in the league) in his rookie year, then took on a bell cow role in his second season. Both years he averaged an underwhelming 3.7 yards per carry or under and was a part of the last-ranked Bucs rushing attack (32nd in yards per carry and yards gained per game).
After the additions of Bucky Irving, Graham Barton and Liam Coen (with his tweaked run scheme), White has run for a much more efficient 4.3 yards per carry in each of the last two years.
The idea of signing White has an initial feeling of being more of a quality rotational utility back rather than being the hallowed savior of the ground game in Seattle. But let’s not rule anything out.
In pivoting to a Shanahan-style, wide zone offensive scheme with former coordinator, Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks have embraced a system renowned for being plug-and-play. It has lifted and featured the talents of many an “obscure” running back over the years (think Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert, etc.). It prizes versatility, patience, speed and decisiveness while devaluing expensive RB contracts.
Although maybe not the flashiest option, could White fit that mold well?
Zach Charbonnet faces a long road back from a late-season knee injury, while reserve backs Kenny McIntosh and Jacardia Wright are attempting their own comebacks from long-term injury (McIntosh, in a contract year). George Holani might be the only healthy runner on the roster at this point in the season, so we can expect more speculation and (maybe multiple) additions.