The Seahawks signed former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson on Friday, adding a running back to the mix after Kenneth Walker III signed with the Kansas City Chiefs this week.
Wilson started out his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos but was waived and signed with the Green Bay Packers shortly after. He made the 53-man roster his rookie year and in his first season, Wilson started five games before being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
The 5-foot-10, 226-pound running back out of Fort Valley State, a Division II HBCU in Georgia, has played in 41 games over the course of three seasons and has rushed for 1,083 yards on 242 carries, averaging 4.5 yards a carry. He also has seven rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. In his first career start last season, Wilson rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in a Week 12 win over the Vikings.
On Seattle Sports 710AM, Seahawks general manager/president of football operations John Schneider said, "Our pro staff did a great job evaluating, identifying Emanuel and just saying, 'Hey, here's this 230-pound guy with great feet.' And you sign a one-year deal like that, it's kind of like a, come on in, come be part of our culture. Kind of like, come prove it, see what you can do and compete with a group. And he gives us a little bit of something different. He's a heavy runner. Excited about him."
Wilson, who grew up watching the Seahawks, his favorite players being Shaun Alexander and Marshawn Lynch, said, "I was shocked that my agent called me and told me that Seattle was going to offer me a contract. So blessed to be here."
From watching Seahawks games last season, Wilson said he likes the style of offense they played.
"They got an explosive offense and I'm glad to be a part of it," he said.
He added that from him, Seattle is getting a "downhill physical runner and I have a lot of explosiveness in me."
The Seahawks signed running back Emanuel Wilson on March 13, 2026. Wilson played three seasons for the Green Bay Packers, rushing for 1,083 yards and seven touchdowns. Check out the best photos of Wilson through the years.
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson scores a rushing touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs for a touchdown past Cincinnati Bengals safety Larry Brooks (40) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs with the football during a pre-season NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (Matthew Becker via AP)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) warms up against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) against Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) of an NFL football game Sunday October 22, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) warms up prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson runs during an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn) Jayden Reed
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson, top, leaps over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward during the second half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) carries the ball against Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis (27) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. The Eagles defeated the Packers, 34-29. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo. The Eagles defeated the Packers, 34-29. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson (31) runs for a touchdown after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs against Houston Texans safety Eric Murray (23) during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs from Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs from Miami Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) makes a catch before the start an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson runs with the ball during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Seattle. The Packers won 30-13. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) runs during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (31) rushes during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) before a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs the field during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) celebrates after a first down during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Green Bay Packers' Emanuel Wilson celebrates his touchdown run with Sean Rhyan during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) spends a quiet moment before an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) rushes during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs the ball during an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) hands off to running back Emanuel Wilson (23) against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) during an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson warms up before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
