Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak Sends Strong Message to RB Kenenth Walker III
The Seattle Seahawks have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 campaign, posting a 4-2 record through their first four games. With each passing week, the offense looks better and better under the lead of new starting quarterback Sam Darnold, and a big reason for their success has been the team’s high-profile rushing attack.
With Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet leading the way and George Holani also factoring into the mix, Darnold has gotten a lot of support on the ground in the early going this year. However, folks have been quick to note the offense has been far more efficient with Walker on the field, leading to offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak sending a strong message on his role with the team moving forward.
Klint Kubiak Addresses Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet Situation
Over the past two seasons, the Seahawks have put together one of the better running back duos in the league, drafting Walker in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft before selecting Charbonnet in the second round the following year. With both guys being effective in their own way, they have become a 1A-1B tandem, rather than a No. 1-No. 2 split.
While Walker and Charbonnet have put up fairly similar per-play numbers throughout their first two seasons, things have changed this year. Through six games, Walker has been significantly more productive than Charbonnet, despite the two backs splitting snaps 50/50 with each other. For reference, Walker is averaging 4.7 yards per carry, while Charbonnet has just 2.6 yards per carry.
To this point, Kubiak hasn’t shown much interest in giving Walker the majority of the snaps at running back, even with Charbonnet struggling to get going so far this season. When asked about the situation, Kubiak admitted Walker has earned more touches for himself, but he also made it clear he isn’t in a rush to cast Charbonnet aside just because of his slow start.
“He’s certainly earned more,” Kubiak said of Walker on Friday. “That’s something that we want, to keep giving him more opportunities. He’s doing a heck of a job, but don’t want to discount Zach and don’t want to discount George; those are really good backs. It’s gonna take all three of them this season, and they just gotta be ready when their number is called.”
Should the Seahawks Give Kenneth Walker III More Snaps Than Zach Charbonnet?

A simple look at the numbers shows that, yes, Walker has been more productive than Charbonnet. Should that alone lead to him getting more snaps, though? It’s not as simple as that. The NFL season is long and grueling, and Walker has a history of getting banged up along the way. While he’s stayed healthy to this point, Kubiak obviously wants to keep him as fresh as possible for a potential postseason run.
However, giving him a slight uptick in snaps over Charbonnet could help this offense take another step forward. Not only is Walker playing well, but lightening Charbonnet’s load could help him improve his efficiency. With Seattle set to take on a tough Houston Texans defense in Week 7, it will be interesting to see how Kubiak utilizes Walker and Charbonnet when they take the field at 10 p.m. ET on Monday Night Football.