How will the Seattle Seahawks replace Kenneth Walker III?
Just over one month ago, Walker became a pacific northwest hero after being named Super Bowl 60 MVP, leading the Seahawks to their second-ever championship with a dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.
Fast forward one month later and Walker is now teammates with Patrick Mahomes after signing a three-year, $43.05 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs – which now leaves the defending Super Bowl champions with a glaring need at the running back position … something that could be filled by an NFC West rival, in the form of San Francisco 49ers tailback, Brian Robinson Jr.
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, Robinson would provide a stable presence for the Seahawks, who need to replace not only Walker’s elite production, but also projected starter, Zach Charbonnet, who’s likely to miss the start of the 2026 season after tearing his ACL during the Seahawks’ divisional round victory over Robinson’s 49ers in January.
“The Seahawks need a replacement for Kenneth Walker III who can shoulder a meaningful workload, given that Zach Charbonnet is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season after tearing an ACL in the playoffs. The Seahawks signed Emmanuel Wilson to a one-year deal this week, but Robinson would offer a more consistent rushing performance and ably serve as the lead back in the rotation while Charbonnet recuperates.”
With just the returning albeit injured Charbonnet, newly-signed Emmanuel Wilson, and practice squad stalwarts George Holani and Kenny McIntosh currently expected to man the backfield for the defending champions, the Seahawks are likely still in the mix to add a starting-caliber tailback – especially with Charbonnet likely to be questionable at best to be available for Week 1 after the aforementioned ACL injury.
After being traded from the Washington Commanders to San Francisco prior to the start of the season, Robinson proved to be valuable for the 49ers in 2025, despite being the clear change-of-pace back behind perennial All-Pro dual-threat tailback, Christian McCaffrey.
Robinson ran the ball 92 times for 400 yards, and two touchdowns while appearing in all 17 games for the 49ers in 2025.
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