Seahawks predicted plan with Jadarian Price involves 'heavy dose' of one backup RB

The Seattle Seahawks are heading into the 2026 NFL season with a very different outlook at the running back position than what it looked like coming into the 2025 season.

Kenneth Walker has left in free agency for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Zach Charbonnet is going to miss at least the first four games of the year. That leaves rookie running back Jadarian Price as the starter, with Emmanuel Wilson and George Holani as backups.

While many fans will want to see Price get the lion's share of the work, and he is projected to be the No. 1 back in Seattle, Brady Henderson of ESPN is predicting that the Seahawks will use a "heavy dose" of Holani as part of this backfield as well.

Seahawks predicted to use a 'heavy dose' of Holani in split with Price

"The best guess is that the Seahawks are planning, for now, to roll with Price as their lead back while mixing in a heavy dose of George Holani, whose receiving and pass-blocking skills seem perfectly suited for third-down work," Henderson writes.

While he is predicting Price to be the lead back in Seattle, Henderson also believes that Holani will see plenty of work to begin the season as well.

Until Charbonnet comes back, Price will get the bulk of the work, but Holani will get plenty of opportunities, especially when the Seahawks need better pass protectors and receiving backs.

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Price might see more every-down work, and also goal-line opportunities, but in third-down and long, or obvious passing situations, like a two-minute drill, Holani might be seeing more playing time than some might've expected.

For spending the No. 32 pick on Price in the 2026 NFL Draft, it would be natural to expect to see Price get plenty of work this season. That's bound to happen, and he will still get his fair share of work.

But Holani's involvement seems likely. Considering Price caught just six passes last season in his final collegiate season at Notre Dame, his usage in the passing game might be limited, especially with Holani's strengths in such situations.

Henderson is predicting this will wind up as a split backfield to some degree, with Price getting the bulk of the work and Holani seeing a "heavy dose" of opportunities, mainly during obvious passing situations and third-down work.

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