RENTON, Wash. — The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are officially in “fix-it” mode. Just weeks after watching Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III sign a blockbuster $45 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle hosted veteran Najee Harris for a free agency visit on Wednesday. The move comes as GM John Schneider scrambles to secure the backfield before the 2026 title defense begins.
The Seahawks didn’t just lose their best runner; they lost the engine of their championship offense. While Walker is settling into Kansas City, his presumptive successor, Zach Charbonnet, is currently immobile. Charbonnet underwent surgery in February to repair a torn ACL suffered during the Divisional Round. Medical staff expects him to miss the bulk of the 2026 campaign, potentially sidelined until Thanksgiving. This leaves a massive 1,027-yard hole in the rotation that depth pieces like Emanuel Wilson and Cam Akers aren’t built to fill alone.
Harris arrives with a resume built on durability—at least until last year. Before a non-contact Achilles tear ended his 2025 season with the Chargers after just three games, Harris was the NFL’s ultimate iron man. He racked up 4,312 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns during a four-year stretch in Pittsburgh where he never missed a start. Seattle isn’t looking for a flashy sprinter; they need a 240-pound hammer who can grind out four yards in the rain when the defense knows it’s coming.
“We know what it takes to win at the highest level, and that starts with the physical identity of this team. If you can’t run the ball in December and January, you aren’t winning anything. We’re looking for guys who embrace that contact.”— Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
The biggest question mark isn’t the talent; it’s the medical chart. Harris is six months removed from Achilles surgery, an injury that has historically robbed power backs of their initial burst. However, reports from his camp suggest he’s already hitting 15 mph on specialized treadmills. If the Seahawks medical staff clears him, he likely slots in as the “1A” back immediately.
Seattle recently added Emanuel Wilson from the Packers to provide some insurance, and they still have George Holani and Kenny McIntosh on the roster. But none of those names carry the “bell-cow” gravity of Harris. Signing the former Pro Bowler would allow Seattle to bridge the gap until Charbonnet returns, creating a potentially lethal power-duo for the 2026 postseason run. Expect a decision soon, as the Raiders are also reportedly circling the veteran runner.
