When the Seahawks hired Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator almost a year ago, he and head coach Mike Macdonald made it clear that the running game would be a priority for the offense in 2025.
And as the Seahawks prepared for this season last spring and summer in offseason workouts, players on offense repeated over and over again how important the running game would be, with right tackle Abraham Lucas describing it as "a non-negotiable… I'll put it like this, we're trying to be elite at very few things, but those few things are what the offense is going to be based around, and that's the run game. We're going to be elite at the run game. That's the philosophy with it."
But as the 2025 season unfolded, a couple of things became clear about Seattle's offense. First and foremost, it was an explosive, high-scoring offense thanks to Pro-Bowl play from Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and everyone else involved in making the passing game go, including a much-improved offensive line. But what also stood out early in the season was the inconsistency of a running game that the Seahawks had been putting so much emphasis on from Day 1.
It wasn't for a lack of commitment—the Seahawks have ranked near the top of the league in rushing attempts all season—but for a variety of reasons, the consistent production just wasn't there.
But now, just in time for the playoffs, the Seahawks are hitting their stride when it comes to their running game, having rushed for 171, 163 and 180 yards in their final three games of the season, their three highest totals of the season after the 198-yard effort against Arizona in Week 10.
"It's important," said running back Kenneth Walker III, who finished the regular season with 1,027 rushing yards, his second 1,000-yard season in his four-year career, as well as a career-best 1,309 scrimmage yards. "We've got to be able to complement the pass game, so I feel like the run game can open up the pass game and make Sam's job easier."
After a challenging day running the ball in a Week 15 win over the Colts, the Seahawks have been able to rely on their running game over the past three weeks, with Walker and Zach Charbonnet showing the ability to get tough yards when needed and make explosive plays happen as runners and pass-catchers. That running game has helped the Seahawks move the chains and score points, and it has also allowed the Seahawks to close out games strong. Against Carolina, the Seahawks took over with a short field after a turnover on downs, and they handed the ball off to Charbonnet four straight times, burning clock, and all of Carolina's timeouts, until Charbonnet scored on the fifth run of the drive to put the game away. Then against the 49ers, the Seahawks were able to burn 8:01 off the clock on a fourth-quarter drive that covered 89 yards, forcing San Francisco to use all three timeouts as fans began exiting Levi's Stadium. That drive featured nine runs by Walker and Charbonnet, including a pair of 11-yard runs by Walker.
"It stems from the coaches having an unbelievable game plan to be able to attack defenses at their weak spots, and then you got to give credit to the tight ends, wide receivers, they're blocking their asses off lately," said rookie guard Grey Zabel. "Running backs are unbelievable making plays. So kind of we're having a lot of fun the past three games being able to run the ball so successfully. If you want to be successful in the postseason you got to be able to run the ball. That's going to be the mindset moving forward."
Added tight end AJ Barner, "I think just sticking with it, and I think it was just a matter of time. I feel like the whole year we've had physicality up front, the backs doing their thing. I think just collectively at the perfect time it's really coming together. Got to continue to do that. I think it will be great to run the ball at home like playing up here in Seattle, bring on the weather, bring on the elements and let's run the rock."
Asked about the improvement to the running game, Macdonald is always quick to praise the players, from the running backs carrying the ball to the offensive line to the tight ends and receivers helping turn moderate gains into big ones with downfield blocking, but there have also been adjustments that have led to the recent surge in production.
"We have a better idea of how much we can handle on a week-to-week basis," Macdonald said. "How many runs can we carry? How many different types of runs? How many different formations can we build it out of it? How much do you put on your quarterback's plate? That's defensively too. How much stuff can we bring into a game where we have the right balance of answers and enough scheme to really give us an advantage or we feel like it's an advantage? Then there's a balance of how much can you actually execute given the amount of reps throughout the week? So, I think that's been something that we've chiseled away at throughout the year and really throughout the last month like since the bye. Coming out of the Thursday game, we really had a better understanding of what that balance is, so it's helped us."
And with the running game working as all 11 players do their part, an interesting subplot to emerge has been the offense's ability to convert several third-and-long plays with runs. Normally, a team facing third-and-long might run the ball figuring they'll just gain a little yardage to affect field position before punting. But in each of their last three games, the Seahawks have converted third-and-15 or longer with a run, with Walker doing it against the Rams and 49ers, and with Charbonnet doing it against the Panthers. Walker's 19-yard run on third-and-17 against the 49ers extended a drive that led to a field goal, and caused 49ers general manager John Lynch to demonstratively show his frustration in a moment caught on the TV broadcast. Walker also scored a touchdown on third-and-goal from the 19 in Seattle's Week 2 win over the Steelers.
"We jokingly say on those third-and-15, third-and-17, we just say third-and-manageable," Zabel said. "You're never out of the fight. It just goes to show when you have unbelievable running backs, like you got to have the mentality that my guy is not going to make the play. Just kudos to the wide receivers too for doing their part blocking downfield. You watched that one last week against the 49ers. Watch Jake Bobo on that play. Throws his body into a safety that's rotating down on a cover three look and made a huge block for us to pick up the first down. So when you convert on something like that, you just got to look across the board. It's all probably 10 guys doing their job, maybe 11 if Sam has a super cool bootleg fake or something that draws in a safety back side. It's cool to be able to do stuff like that."
Said Walker, "They keep the drive alive, and also, it's demoralizing for a defense, so that's aways good."
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center as they get ready for their upcoming divisional round matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Karl Scott at practice on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (32) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) and fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
