The Seattle Seahawks have been the talk of the NFL off-season in recent days. Of course, this is because they just made Jaxon Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. Over the weekend, it was reported that they had inked the All-Pro pass catcher to a four-year $168.8 million contract extension.
This, of course, is clearly their biggest move of the off-season. It certainly helps explain why Seattle was not really working all that hard to retain Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who ended up signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. He received a three-year $43 million contract that made him the highest-paid free agent running back in NFL history.
Letting Walker go makes a ton of sense in light of the Smith-Njigba contract, but the Seahawks may have hit a home run with who they got to replace Walker.
PFF praises Seattle Seahawks for signing 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
One of the moves that Seattle made this off-season that has not garnered too much attention is signing former Green Bay Packers backup running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year $2.1 million contract.
This move is the one that PFF states was their favorite for the Seahawks so far this off-season:
“Seattle will need to rely heavily on Wilson after Kenneth Walker III’s departure and Zach Charbonnet‘s injury. While Wilson does not offer much in the passing game, he is among the better pure runners in the NFL, highlighted by his 73.9 PFF rushing grade in 2025. He also earned an 82.9 PFF overall grade in 2024. In the absence of Charbonnet early in the season, Wilson might be the cheapest starting running back in the league.”
If Seattle does need to use Wilson as a starter, they are going to be getting a fantastic bargain. In spot starts for the Packers last year, Wilson had games of 107 rushing yards and 82 rushing yards. Overall, in three seasons with Green Bay, he has averaged 4.5 yards per carry.
A former undrafted free agent, Wilson has always found himself blocked on depth charts by the likes of Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs. Now in Seattle, he is poised to be in a position where he can get more opportunities.
Both he and the Seahawks will be cashing in.
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