The Seattle Times Seahawks

Wilson, a free-agent signee, will be part of a trio of running backs (alongside rookie Jadarian Price and holdover George Holani) that the Seahawks will rely on for at least the first month while Zach Charbonnet recovers from ACL surgery.

Holani, a holdover running back, is likely to fill Zach Charbonnet's two-minute role as the Seahawks navigate the first month without Charbonnet, who is recovering from ACL surgery. He will be part of a trio of backs alongside rookie Jadarian Price and free-agent signee Emanuel Wilson.

The Seahawks hope that having Horton healthy along with a full season of Rashid Shaheed will make it much more difficult to double-team Jaxon Smith-Njigba and spread the defense. His health status is part of the offensive strategy to counter defensive adjustments opponents may make after studying the Seahawks' film from their Super Bowl season.

The Seahawks hope that having Shaheed for a full season along with a healthy Tory Horton will make it much more difficult to double-team Jaxon Smith-Njigba and spread the defense. His availability as a complementary receiver is part of the offensive strategy to counter defensive adjustments opponents may make after studying the Seahawks' film from their Super Bowl season.

Price was drafted 32nd overall by the Seahawks specifically to replace Kenneth Walker III's explosiveness in the running game. He will likely be part of a trio of backs (alongside George Holani and Emanuel Wilson) that the Seahawks will rely on for at least the first month while Zach Charbonnet recovers from ACL surgery. The source notes the Seahawks hope to spring new running-game looks on opponents early courtesy of new coordinator Brian Fleury, specifically in potentially throwing more to the running backs.

Charbonnet, who had 730 yards and 12 touchdowns last season complementing Walker, began camp on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from ACL surgery in February and probably won't be ready to start the season. The Seahawks will likely have to go at least the first month with a trio of rookie Jadarian Price, holdover George Holani (likely to fill Charbonnet's two-minute role), and free-agent signee Emanuel Wilson.

Walker signed a three-year free-agent deal with Kansas City worth just over $43 million after a strong finish to the Seahawks' season. He ripped off at least one gain of 20 yards or longer in six of the final 12 games and gained 313 yards in three playoff games. The Seahawks drafted rookie Jadarian Price 32nd overall specifically to replace Walker's explosiveness.

Smith-Njigba shattered team records with 119 catches for an NFL-high 1,793 yards (eighth-most in NFL history), earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. At just 24 years old, he signed a new contract making him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history at $42.15 million over four years. The source notes the key question is whether opponents will unveil different defenses after an offseason to study his film. Smith-Njigba promised not to worry, stating he spent his offseason and camp 'seeing how to grow. I want y'all to see a different level — almost a different player out there. An upgraded version.' The Seahawks hope that having Rashid Shaheed for a full season along with a healthy Tory Horton will make it more difficult to double-team Smith-Njigba.

Darnold's 31 wins over the past two seasons including playoffs — tied for the fourth-most by a QB in NFL history — suggest strong repeat potential despite a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury. The source notes Darnold drew raves in the offseason program and training camp, with head coach Macdonald saying late in preseason: 'Sam's had a great camp. It's becoming a clearer plan on how we want to operate from now to go play the first game. He's been right there every step of the way. He's been tremendous.' His three-year, $100.5 million deal appears a relative bargain given his late-season performance: 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions in the final 10 games, plus a 5-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio in the playoffs.

Receiver A.J. Brown is the Patriots' new No. 1 receiver after being acquired via trade with the Eagles to replace Stefon Diggs, who was released.

Patriots QB Drake Maye faces the Seahawks secondary in a rematch; Maye threw for 295 yards in the Super Bowl but 234 came in the fourth quarter after the outcome was decided. Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels likely spent the offseason studying the Super Bowl and will have new looks to attack the Seahawks.

Three-year veteran George Holani, who served as Kenneth Walker III's backup for the final two playoff games, is on the 53-man roster as the third running back option behind Jadarian Price.

Free-agent signee Emanuel Wilson is one of three running backs on the 53-man roster alongside Jadarian Price and George Holani; Wilson did not play in the preseason due to injury management but is healthy for the season opener.

First-round pick Jadarian Price (32nd overall, 2026 draft, second RB drafted) is assumed to be the lead back for the Seahawks in the season opener; coach Mike Macdonald expressed confidence, saying "I feel like he's in a really good place. I'm excited to see him play." Price did not play in the preseason due to injury management, but is healthy heading into the opener.

Running back Zach Charbonnet remains unavailable after suffering an ACL injury in the divisional title game win over the 49ers, leaving the Seahawks without both Kenneth Walker III and Charbonnet to start the season.

Running back Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl MVP after rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries, is no longer with the Seahawks, representing a major personnel change from the championship game and opening the door for first-round pick Jadarian Price to assume lead-back duties.

Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson ruled out with an ankle injury for the season opener.

Montorie Foster Jr., described as the biggest surprise to make the 53-man roster, is likely to be active and make his NFL debut in the season opener due to Tory Horton's hamstring injury.

Receiver Tory Horton ruled out with a hamstring injury; his absence would likely activate Montorie Foster Jr., the biggest surprise to make the 53-man roster, for his NFL debut.

Receiver Cooper Kupp emphasized the team's focus on execution in the locker room despite external distractions surrounding the ownership transition and Super Bowl rematch narrative, stating the Seahawks will treat the game like any other once kickoff arrives.

The Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe in the third round after signing Sam Darnold to a three-year contract with an out clause after one season, signaling they were not fully committed to Darnold as a long-term solution at the time of his signing.

Despite winning the Super Bowl, Darnold ranked 14th on The Athletic's annual quarterback tiers list in a survey of 50 league evaluators, tied with Baker Mayfield and six spots behind Drake Maye (the QB the Seahawks beat in the Super Bowl) and Jayden Daniels. Some maintain that Darnold, similar to Russell Wilson in 2013, was able to rely heavily on a defense that was the best in the NFL, raising questions about his individual quarterback performance.

Darnold is in the second season of a three-year, $100.5 million contract signed in March 2025, with an average salary of $33.5 million ranking 16th among QBs for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The deal includes a $35.5 million salary for 2027 and a $10 million roster bonus due March 17. Another Super Bowl title or deep playoff run would likely make him deserving of a significant raise, potentially matching the $55 million per year of six QBs tied for third-highest QB salaries in 2026, or approaching Baker Mayfield's recent three-year, $165 million deal.

Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship in his first season after the Vikings released him as a free agent following 2024. He threw 13 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions in the Seahawks' final 10 games, including 5 TDs and no picks in three playoff games, demonstrating significant improvement after an early-season four-interception performance against the Rams in November.

Lockett is a free agent entering 2025 after splitting 2024 between Tennessee and Las Vegas, recording 32 catches across both teams. The source suggests he could be a depth option for a team needing a veteran slot receiver, though his Raiders stint appeared to be a favor from former coach Pete Carroll rather than a full-time role.

Wilson announced his retirement from playing after 14 seasons and will transition to a studio the source role, debuting on CBS's pregame show as part of NFL Today during the 2025 season. He reflected on his 10 years with Seattle as 'special' and cited 'God's perfect timing' for the career transition.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys visit Lumen Field for the first time in a game with fans in the stands since 2018; the source predicts a Seahawks win (28-12) and notes it will be a test of Seahawks fan loyalty given Dallas' national fanbase.

Justin Herbert threw 13 interceptions in 2025; the source suggests new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel (former Miami head coach) may help get Herbert back on track in 2026.

Jayden Daniels' health and performance will determine the Commanders' success in 2026; the source notes that Washington's hopes will live and die on whether Daniels can stay healthy and play the way he did in 2024, following a disappointing 5-12 season in 2025.

Patrick Mahomes plays only his second game at Lumen Field and first since 2018 in a Sunday night matchup against the Seahawks; the source predicts a Seahawks win (27-23).

Kenneth Walker III returns to Seattle to face the Chiefs in a Sunday night game; the source frames this as a notable storyline in what figures to be another Seahawks win.

Tight end AJ Barner characterized Brian Fleury as 'a man of few words' who is 'about ball, about his business,' noting similarity to predecessor Klint Kubiak in being more reserved. This reflects Fleury's coaching style and demeanor with his position group.

Cooper Kupp praised the collaborative approach Brian Fleury has brought to the Seahawks offense, noting that 'it's been cool to have that collaboration piece where you see the coaches, you see the players, you see Brian (Fleury) all working together to make sure we get the best plays out there, putting guys in the best situations possible.' This reflects Fleury's effort to sell his vision to offensive coaches and players despite coming from outside the organization.

Sam Darnold was a backup with the 49ers in 2023 when Brian Fleury was the tight ends coach, and Darnold's recommendation helped sell Mike Macdonald on hiring Fleury as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator. Darnold praised Fleury's calm demeanor that doesn't change much based on the results of the previous play, describing him as 'very stoic' and 'even-keeled' with a dry sense of humor.

The running back is currently injured, and Jadarian Price is expected to step in for him in the backfield. The source notes Price could replace Charbonnet while also serving as the long-term replacement for Kenneth Walker III.

The midseason acquisition from 2025 is featured in the Seahawks' revamped offense under rookie coordinator Brian Fleury. The source suggests the offense could be a far more explosive unit with Shaheed, first-round RB Jadarian Price, and the new coordinator, though the team will face transitional bumps with the loss of Klint Kubiak.

The quarterback is cemented as an effective passer and champion who never needed to be the team's hero in the first place. The source explicitly states it is not concerned about Darnold's performance and notes he is a key part of Seattle's balanced and dominant team makeup heading into 2026, alongside reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a growing offensive line.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP is departing the Seahawks, forcing the team to adjust offensively and creating uncertainty about the running back position. The source identifies his loss as a key challenge for the offense heading into 2026, alongside the departure of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

The reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year is on pace to become the fourth player with at least 100 receptions in three of his first four seasons; he had 100 receptions in 2024 before setting a franchise record with 119 last season. Brandon Marshall, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Michael Thomas are the only three players who have accomplished the feat, with Puka Nacua also able to join the list in 2026.

The first-round running back has impressed coaches during preseason with his elusiveness and rising expectations; if he matches those expectations, the Seahawks shouldn't miss a beat replacing Kenneth Walker III. The source notes he has gotten rave reviews for his elusiveness this summer and could step in for the injured Zach Charbonnet, though the source expresses some uncertainty about whether he can fully replace Walker's production.