There are a number of reasons why the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are off to a 3-3 start and have already fallen 3.0 games behind the first-place San Francisco 49ers. One of them is that their running game has taken a major hit.
“He’s playing…probably at the highest level in the league right now”
Mike Macdonald on preparing to face Kenneth Walker and the Chiefs this week.
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— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) October 22, 2026
Last year, the Seahawks rode the two-man tandem of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in a very effective manner. Walker is now running for the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs while Charbonnet has not been able to compete this season after undergoing ACL surgery.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald knows the Chiefs have benefitted greatly from signing Walker as a free agent during the offseason. “He’s playing, probably at the highest level in the league right now,” Macdonald said, per Sirius XMNFL radio.
Walker came out of the gate in spectacular form for the Chiefs, and he has showed off his speed and explosiveness on a regular basis since donning a Kansas City uniform.
Walker has already rushed for a league-leading 665 yards with 6 touchdowns. He has a shocking 6.5 yards per carry and he is averaging 133.0 yards per game.
Article Continues BelowWhile Walker has been dynamic for the Chiefs, the Seahawks have not gotten as much from their running game.
Emanuel Wilson leads the way with 303 rushing yards, but his 3.5 yards per carry average has been an issue. Rookie Jadarian Price has 119 rushing yards, but he has played just 3 game because of a chest injury. Macdonald has indicated that Price is close to making a comeback.
The Chiefs are one of three undefeated teams in the league as they have a 5-0 record and that has given them a 1.5-game lead in the AFC West