Kenneth Walker III had a forgettable season opener a week ago. The former Michigan State running back opened the year with just 20 rushing yards on 10 carries, and he was out-touched by presumed backup Zach Charbonnet (a former Michigan back).
It felt like the tides were turning in Charbonnet's favor, and that Walker was probably headed for backup status soon if that trend continued.
However, it was revealed that he was coming off a preseason injury, and the staff was probably limiting his snap count in the opener as to not get him injured again. In Week 2, Walker broke out for one of his typical 100-yard outings, rushing for 105 yards and catching a 13-yard pass, leading Seattle past the Steelers on the road.
With the performance, Walker simultaneously silenced the doubters that emerged in Week 1 and cracked the Seahawks' top-10 all-time rushing list.
On the rise. 📈 pic.twitter.com/ZdQwYmEvbc
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 16, 2025
It was an impressive performance for the Spartan back, but it still felt like something was off. He was dominating the Steelers, but he was still out-snapped by Charbonnet.
And fans are furious about it (just go read the replies to the above tweet).
Good news: Ken Walker III had 118 yards and 1 TD on 14 touches.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 14, 2025
Bad news: He only played 36% of the snaps.
The replies to this tweet, too, show that Seattle fans are desperate for more Kenneth Walker III carries, but the coaching staff is creating a split in the backfield for some reason. Charbonnet hasn't done enough to prove he deserves a backfield split.
Meanwhile, Walker is making the most of his opportunities, and it looks like he's about to be one of the top 10 running backs in the NFL again -- he had the highest PFF grade among NFL running backs in Week 2.
I think I speak for all Seahawks fans when I say this: give this man the ball.