PHOENIX — The Seattle Seahawks are officially entering the post-Kenneth Walker era, and the outside noise is getting loud. Critics suggest the defending Super Bowl champions are “barren” at the position after Walker signed with Kansas City, but head coach Mike Macdonald isn’t buying it. Speaking from the NFL Annual Meeting, Macdonald stood firm behind a room currently headlined by a rehabbing Zach Charbonnet and a cast of hungry young talent.
The 12-Touchdown Void and the Recovery Path
Losing a Super Bowl MVP like Walker is a blow to any roster. However, the Seahawks spent the 2025 season watching Zach Charbonnet evolve into a legitimate goal-line force. Before a late-season ACL tear sidelined him during the playoff run, Charbonnet racked up 730 yards and 12 touchdowns. His physical style was the perfect hammer to Walker’s lightning, and Macdonald expects that trend to continue once the medical staff clears him.
The Seahawks didn’t just stand still this month. They poached Emanuel Wilson from the Green Bay Packers, a runner who quietly put up 496 yards and 3 touchdowns last year. Wilson provides the north-south efficiency Macdonald admires. Meanwhile, the coach pointed to the late-season surge from George Holani, who stepped up in the playoffs with 73 yards and a crucial score when the lights were brightest.
“I think people are sleeping on the guys we have a little bit. I’m excited about how that group grows from here. Any opportunity we have to take our team to the next level, we’re going to look at it, but don’t count these guys out.”
— Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
Competition in the VMAC Air
The energy in Renton will be high this summer. Beyond the known commodities, Kenny McIntosh is returning from the ACL injury that wiped out his entire 2025 campaign. Before that setback, McIntosh showed the kind of three-down versatility that fits the Seahawks’ hybrid offensive system. Macdonald specifically mentioned McIntosh’s name, suggesting the coaching staff hasn’t forgotten the spark he showed in the 2024 preseason.
Seattle holds the 32nd pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. While they could easily target a fresh face to replace Walker’s explosiveness, the front office seems content with their current committee. The combination of Charbonnet’s power, Wilson’s vision, and Holani’s reliability gives Seattle a diverse deck to play with as they defend their title. They aren’t looking for a replacement; they are looking for a rotation that keeps defenses guessing.
