The Seattle Seahawks watched their Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker, sign with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. His deal with Kansas City is a three-year $45 million contract, making him the highest-paid free agent running back in NFL history. Of course, he garnered a great deal of interest after running for 135 yards in Super Bowl LX.
Additionally, Walker is coming off of a season in which he ran for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. Replacing him will be a tall task, especially given the running back market in free agency.
That being said, Seattle just made a signing that could end up being one of the most underrated moves of the off-season.
The Seattle Seahawks signed former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson
Seattle Seahawks, Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers, Ahman Green, NFL free agency
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) during the first quarter in a 2024 NFC divisional round game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
On Thursday afternoon, it was reported that the Seahawks had signed former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year contract worth $2.1 million.
The #Seahawks are signing former #Packers RB Emanuel Wilson to a 1-year deal worth up to $2.1M, source said. Wilson flashed last season with a 107-yard game and another for 82 yards.
Now added to the mix in Seattle in a deal done by Andrew Kessler of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/lkzfRG0fAg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2026
A former undrafted free agent, Wilson made Green Bay’s 53-man roster out of training camp in each of the last three years. In 2023, he was the Packers’ third-string running back, but was the primary backup to starter Josh Jacobs in each of the past two years.
Over the last two seasons, he accumulated 998 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
As Rapoport notes, he had a game in which he ran for 107 yards, and another in which he had 82. While he has been a career backup thus far, he has the potential to be a starting running back in the NFL.
And if this happens in Seattle, it would be a reverse of a transaction that happened 26 years ago.
Back in 2000, the Seahawks traded a backup running back named Ahman Green to the Packers for Fred Vinson. In two seasons with Seattle to start his career, Green had just 329 rushing yards and one touchdown.
After arriving in Green Bay, though, Green five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including a 2003 campaign that saw him rushing for 1,883 yards. What is more, he became the Packers’ all-time leading rusher.
Obviously, a great deal would have to happen for Wilson to experience the same level of success with Seattle that Green enjoyed with Green Bay. However, there are some interesting parallels between the two players, and the Seahawks could have a real stud on their hands.
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