After Kenneth Walker III left Seattle, analysts debate whether the Seahawks should trade for D’Andre Swift or use No. 32 on a rookie running back like Jadarian Price.
Seattle’s offseason just got sharper: with Kenneth Walker III gone, the Seahawks face an immediate question about replacing a workhorse level of production.
The running back room is now in flux, and the stakes are higher than a typical year. Seattle is coming off a Super Bowl run, which changes how patience is measured. Instead of waiting for a draft pick to grow, the team has to weigh how quickly it can restore balance on offense.
A popular trade-market idea is targeting D’Andre Swift. the Chicago Bears running back known for being more than a one-dimensional rusher.. The core of the pitch is simple: Swift has generated more than 6. 800 yards from scrimmage since entering the league in 2020. and his skill set lines up with what teams want when they’re trying to keep a passing game active while still moving the chains on the ground.
Why does that matter for the Seahawks right now?. Because Seattle’s current depth chart looks thin after injuries and roster turnover.. With Zach Charbonnet dealing with a season-ending injury. the team’s backfield suddenly relies on limited reliability—players who may contribute. but not necessarily in the same consistent. game-to-game way.. In that kind of scenario. a dual-threat back can prevent an offense from turning into a predictable rhythm of “run. then pass. ” or “pass. then scramble for space.”
There’s also a timing argument.. One suggestion around Swift is to use a mid-round trade window instead of leaning solely on the draft.. That matters because the Seahawks do not have an abundance of draft picks to spend, and Seattle’s No.. 32 selection could become more valuable if it were used differently.. Trading down from the first-round end of the board could. in theory. create flexibility—both to acquire a proven piece and to address other roster needs.
This offseason isn’t only about talent; it’s about managing risk.. Seattle’s Super Bowl identity is built on execution—offense that doesn’t stall and a defense that can breathe.. If the Seahawks replace Walker with a committee of unproven options, they may gain snaps but lose predictability.. Swift’s appeal. in this framework. is that he can contribute as a runner and also remain a threat in the passing game. which can keep defenses from stacking the box.
Still, the trade talk doesn’t erase the draft option.. Another viewpoint pushes toward spending the No.. 32 overall pick on a running back with starter-level upside.. Mike Salk. speaking on a Seattle Sports video. argued that while teams often avoid taking running backs at high value. the Seahawks’ situation may be different this year.
Salk’s reasoning centers on scarcity: in his assessment. there are only a couple of starter-quality. game-changing running backs in this class.. He also frames the Seahawks’ need as urgent.. If Charbonnet is sidelined and Walker is no longer in the building. the team may not have the luxury of treating running back as a “someday” fix.
For readers watching the Seahawks offseason unfold, the emotional pull is easy to understand.. Walker wasn’t just a stat line—he was the kind of player fans could trust to turn short yardage into third-down conversions and to keep momentum from slipping away.. Losing a back like that forces Seattle to prove, quickly, that its offensive engine can still produce with confidence.
The broader football trend also matters.. Teams increasingly value backs who can stay involved on passing downs. not just as checkdowns but as a genuine outlet that defenses respect.. That’s why Swift’s “from scrimmage” production stands out: it’s a shorthand for versatility. involvement. and the ability to show up in more than one phase of the game.
What Seattle ultimately decides will signal how it views its championship window.. A trade for Swift leans toward “win now,” betting that proven versatility can stabilize an offense during a transition.. Drafting a running back at No.. 32 leans toward “build now,” prioritizing long-term roster construction while accepting the gamble that rookie play can be impactful quickly.
Either path reflects the same core truth: Walker’s departure can’t be treated like a normal offseason loss. The Seahawks have to reload, and this is the part of the offseason where small roster moves can quickly turn into big-season consequences.