The Seattle Seahawks' offensive starters played their first series against the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason Week 2 and looked very sharp. New starting quarterback Sam Darnold made solid decisions, but was not tasked with having do much. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak did the heavy work for him.
Maybe the regular season will be different when opposing defenses will be game-planning against what Seattle wants to do, but Kubiak showed enough nuance that scheming against the Seahawks might not be as easy as it has been in previous seasons.
From the initial drive before more backups started entering the game, two things stood out. One is that four of the offensive line's starting five versus the Chiefs should be four of the starting five in Week 1. The unit was impressive and appeared to have complete control over what they were doing. Now, they just need to stay healthy, and left tackle Charles Cross should be back soon.
Zach Charbonnet should be the Seattle Seahawks starting running back in Week 1
But perhaps the most impressive display from the opening drive was running back Zach Charbonnet. With presumed starter Kenneth Walker III being held out as he deals with a nagging foot issue, Charbonnet proved once again that he is worthy of being an RB1 in the NFL.
Unlike Walker, who has regressed in each of his three seasons, Charbonnet was consistent through his first two. Entering year three, he has outplayed Walker in camp, and based on last season, Charbonnet should have the edge to be the starter when the real games begin.
Walker is more explosive, but Charbonnet (like Walker, a second-round draft pick) isn't without explosive ability. He scored on a 51-yard jaunt last season. He is also a much more straightforward runner, as Walker often hesitates. Charbonnet's style fits better with what Kubiak wants to do.
He proved that on the one drive he had versus the Chiefs. He got through the hole quickly, punched through, and found space. He was quick and powerful, and looked as good as Walker ever has. He ran five times for 45 yards and finished the drive with a 15-yard run through the middle.
Zach Charbonnet caps off a 10-play, 81-yard drive for Seattle 🙌
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Were the Kansas City Chiefs playing without a couple of starters? Sure, but the Seattle Seahawks had their first-team in, and Charbonnet was a brilliant fit. His rise to RB1 also would not mean Walker wouldn't get a bunch of reps because he would. When he is healthy. That is the other issue: Walker gets hurt more than Charbonnet.
The issue is that in the last two years, when Walker is healthy, the Seattle coaching staff seems bent on starting him, and Charbonnet sees the field less. That needs to flip in 2025.
Of course, if Seattle needs a running back besides Charbonnet and Walker to do well, George Holani appears to be that guy. He has been electric in training camp and the preseason.
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