Seahawks won’t miss Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III thanks to this stellar rookie with a massive future
The path to immediate playing time has become even clearer for the newcomer
T he Seattle Seahawks are entering the 2026 season with one of the NFL's strongest rosters and the confidence that comes from being the defending Super Bowl champions. Yet one of the biggest storylines surrounding the franchise is also one of its biggest questions: who will replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III?
According to a panel of NFL.com analysts , the answer may be a lot more exciting than many expected. When predicting the winners of the league's major individual awards for the upcoming season, the majority of NFL.com's experts selected Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price as the favorite to capture Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The path to immediate playing time has become
It's a bold prediction, but the circumstances in Seattle make it easy to understand why Price is generating so much buzz before taking his first regular-season snap. The Seahawks selected Price with the 32nd overall pick in April's NFL Draft, making him the second running back chosen in the first round. Since then, his path to immediate playing time has become even clearer.
Walker, who rushed for 135 yards and earned Super Bowl MVP honors in Seattle's championship victory, departed in free agency to join the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year deal worth up to $43.05 million. While the Seahawks valued Walker's contributions , the organization ultimately chose not to match Kansas City's offer as it balanced other financial priorities across a championship-caliber roster.
Meanwhile , Zach Charbonnet remains on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from the ACL injury he suffered during Seattle's playoff run. His availability for the start of the season remains uncertain, and there is no guarantee he will return before midseason.
The result is a remarkable opportunity for Price
The players responsible for 1,757 of Seattle's 2,069 rushing yards last season and 17 of the team's 19 rushing touchdowns may not be available when the season begins. That leaves Price positioned to become the centerpiece of a rushing attack that was already one of the NFL's most productive units.
Seattle ran the ball 507 times in 2025, the third-highest total in the league. Even with offensive coordinator Brian Fleury replacing Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks are expected to maintain the run-first philosophy that helped power them to a championship. Left guard Grey Zabel has already made it clear that Fleury intends to keep that identity intact. “I love his run-first mentality, and we are going to enjoy it," Zabel said of Seattle's new offensive coordinator.
For a rookie running back, there may not be a better situation in the league. NFL.com's analysts pointed to that reality when making their Offensive Rookie of the Year selections. Price is expected to receive starter-level touches immediately, potentially handling 15 or more opportunities per game while operating within one of football's most stable organizations. He also benefits from playing alongside a roster loaded with proven stars, making it difficult for defenses to focus solely on stopping the run.
The opportunity is especially notable considering Price's college career. At Notre Dame, he spent much of his time sharing the backfield with Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman Trophy finalist who was selected third overall in this year's draft. While Price never had the chance to be a full-time featured back, he consistently flashed elite explosiveness whenever he touched the football.
Over three seasons with the Fighting Irish, Price averaged 5.8, 6.2 and 6.0 yards per carry. Each year, he produced at least one touchdown run of 54 yards or longer, reinforcing his reputation as one of college football's most dangerous big-play threats. Those explosive traits are exactly what Seattle hopes can help replace Walker.
