Mike Macdonald Joe Mixon
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CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles named running back Joe Mixon a potential running back upgrade for the Seattle Seahawks.
General manager John Schneider has expressed excitement about what the Seattle Seahawks currently at running back. But pundits aren’t nearly as confident. That includes CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles, who argued to begin this week the Seahawks should target former Pro Bowler Joe Mixon.
The 29-year-old running back is a free gent after the Houston Texans released him on March 6.
“The Seahawks lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency and have not found an adequate replacement since,” wrote Pereles. “It’s up in the air whether Zach Charbonnet will be ready to go for Week 1 after tearing his ACL.
“As reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks have the No. 32 pick in the draft, so Jeremiyah Love will be long gone.”
Mixon most recently earned a Pro Bowl bid during 2024 with the Texans. During that season, he ran for 1,016 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also caught 36 passes for 309 yards.
Mixon made his other Pro Bowl with the Cincinnati Bengals during 2021. Mixon rushed for career bests of 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns while helping Cincinnati earn a Super Bowl bid.
Last year, Mixon missed the entire season because of a foot injury.
Could RB Joe Mixon Be a Target for the Seahawks?
While appearing on Seattle Sports Radio on March 19, Schneider spoke glowingly about a few lesser-known running backs the Seahawks have on their offseason roster.
Schneider, though, didn’t exactly shut down the possibility of adding another. When talking about the free agency contract Kenneth Walker received to leave Seattle, Schneider said, “that’s a position that you can find guys.”
The question is whether Mixon could be that guy for the Seahawks.
If Seattle was getting the Mixon from even two years ago, the answer could very likely be yes. But the running back has missed 20 games over the past two seasons. He also turns 30 in July.
Those facts lower the ceiling for Mixon in 2026.
Then again, Mixon’s ceiling is probably still higher than the other running backs on Seattle’s roster. It also would likely be a low-risk move to sign the former Texans running back.
In his eight-year career, Mixon has registered five 1,000-yard campaigns. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in both 2023 and 2024.
Seahawks Running Back Depth in 2026 NFL Offseason
The Seahawks have a hole at running back not just because of Walker’s departure. Zach Charbonnet, who shared the workload with Walker last season, suffered a serious knee injury during the playoffs.
It’s not clear Charbonnet will be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign.
In NFL free agency, the Seahawks signed Emanuel Wilson. With the Green Bay Packers, Wilson had at least 490 rushing yards each of the past two seasons.
On March 19, Schneider expressed a lot of confidence in Wilson and Seahawks third-year running back George Holani.
“George [Holani] did a great job. We’re really excited about Emmanuel Wilson, who we got from Green Bay, a heavy runner with really nice feet …”
“George is one of those guys that just does everything really well,” Schneider said. “He catches the ball, pass protection, doesn’t put the ball on the ground, really good instincts and he’s a true pro. Like, he’s just got great personality.”
Schneider also provide a positive update on Charbonnet’s injury recovery.
In addition to those three backs, the Seahawks also have Kenny McIntosh, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr. and Jacardia Wright on the roster.
The Seahawks probably won’t add an eighth running back unless they see him as a clear upgrade over what they already possess.