COLUMN: Is Kenneth Walker ready to step up?
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
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This Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks face their toughest test in the playoffs when they host the Los Angeles Rams. One of the major storylines heading into this matchup is running back Zach Charbonnet being ruled out, leaving Kenneth Walker to carry the load.
Which raises the question, is he capable?
In the modern world of the NFL, a lot of coaches preach the imperativeness of the run game. When effective, it can open up other strategies on offense, like play action. Passing lanes open up as defenses have to show respect to the threat in the backfield.
I like Walker’s potential as a top running back for Seattle this weekend. In the regular season, he averaged over four yards per carry for 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. In one playoff game, he took his play to another level.
Against the San Francisco 49ers, Walker averaged six yards per carry for 116 yards for three touchdowns. Walker is undoubtedly ready for the moment.
I firmly believe the Rams are the Seahawks’ toughest matchup out of all eligible NFC playoff teams this year. All three phases of the team need to be hitting on all cylinders this weekend. Against the Niners, Walker showed fans and pundits alike the Heisman contender we loved to watch when he was torching the Wolverines at Michigan State.
The Rams have a tough interior line that is capable of stopping the run. Poona Ford, Jared Verse, Ty Hamilton and Byron Young form a near impenetrable wall in the trenches.
Head Coach Mike McDonald and the Seahawks should be daring from the start of the game. When this team sets the tone early, they dominate. Send a message early with Walker and let the Rams defense know they aren’t pulling their punches no matter who they put on the field.
If they can dissect the Rams with Walker, it’s going to make the defensive backs’ life much harder. They will lack help, needing to respect the run, with Sam Darnold and Jaxson Smith-Njigba capable of taking advantage.
Having seen the outcome of the last time these two teams met, if Smith-Njigba is not an option, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed and AJ Barner are ready to rise to the occasion. Walker also averaged nine yards per carry for 100 yards in their overtime win over the Rams.
Whether or not it’s a hot take, the Seahawks success starts with Walker and the run game.