It’s Captain Kenneth Walker in Atlanta. Will he be a Seahawk in ‘26? ‘Hopefully’
It’s Captain Kenneth Walker this weekend.
Will it be Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawk, in 2026?
Coach Mike Macdonald named his lead running back a game captain for the trip for the Seahawks (9-3) to play the Falcons (4-8) Sunday in Atlanta (10 a.m., FOX television, channel 13 locally).
The honor for Walker comes amid his most productive stretch so far this season, the final one of his rookie contract. He’s rushed for 261 yards and had another 92 yards in receptions the last four games. The Seahawks and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are finally using him in a more featured role, more than in the job share Walker’s had most of this season with Zach Charbonnet.
Walker got the ball on four of the first six plays of Seattle’s shutout win over Minnesota last week. He got it on five of the first six snaps the offense had after halftime.
Charbonnet still got the ball in goal-line, short-yardage and red-zone situations. His 17-yard scoring run in the third quarter was his eighth rushing touchdown this season. That ties the third-year veteran’s career high from last season.
Walker has four rushing TDs. He’s played 47% of the offensive snaps this season. Charbonnet has also played in 47% of the snaps.
Against Minnesota, Walker played 37 snaps to Charbonnet’s 26.
The job share has come while the team managed Walker’s workload against assorted pains. First was a foot issue this summer, related to his high-ankle sprain that ended his 2024 season in December and put him on injured reserve. Lately it’s been glute pain that has limited him in practices.
But he’s charging as decisively as he has all season the last four games. He has five regular-season games left on his contract. Walker turned 25 this month. He is playing for someone to pay him to play next season.
The fact that he doesn’t already have a new deal illustrates how reluctant teams are to invest in players at the sport’s most injured position with the shortest career length: just under three years.
Walker has played in every one of the first 12 games. He is trying to play in all 17 of a regular season for his first time in the NFL since Seattle drafted him in the second round out of Michigan State in 2022 to be its new lead back.
“I think he’s playing his best football right now,” Macdonald said following practice Friday. “He’s had such a great attitude throughout the whole process, and he’s been a great teammate. He’s got a great, great outlook on...you can spend a bunch of time on the carries. And he’ll tell you he’s just worried about playing great football, and he’s excited about where we’re going.
“You can see his personality shine through. So, I’m happy for Ken.” That follows what Walker wanted to do this season.
When The News Tribune asked him in training camp about his contract ending and his future beyond 2025, Walker said: “Yeah, with that part, honestly, I just want to be positive, and keep my mind on football and not contract and all that.
“I really just want to make a positive impact on my team and go out there and play to the best of my ability. And that’s what I’ve been wanting to do since my rookie year to now.
“So I’m gonna just keep that same mindset and not worry about everything, like contract and everything.”
Friday, the TNT asked Macdonald if he can empathize with the urgency Walker has to impress, be it the Seahawks or any other NFL team, this month to get a job beyond this season.
“We want our guys to play their best football for us, take care of their families and make a ton (of money). We want all those things for our guys,” Macdonald said. “Ken’s doing a heck of a job to put himself in that position.
“I’m excited for him and his future. He has a great future ahead of him, and hopefully it’s here.
“We love having him, and he’s a great Seahawk.”
Asked if he feels managing Walker’s workload this summer into fall is paying off now, Macdonald said: “You hate to lose George (Holani, the third back who’s on injured reserve), but right now, our top two backs are ready to go. This is why we handled it the whole way.
“We’re trying to maximize those guys’ talents, maximize our offensive opportunities. And you want to take care of the guys, as well, so you have them for the long haul. That was really the thought behind it.”
This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM.
