Huard weighs in on outside-the-box Seahawks trade idea

The Seattle Seahawks’ offense has already experienced significant change this offseason.

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Between the switches to Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator, Sam Darnold at quarterback, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at wide receiver, and expected moves to add to the offensive line through the draft or free agency, the 2025 version of the unit is going to look a whole lot different than it did in 2024.

One position, however, has remained stable through the offseason thus far: running back. Seattle is set to welcome back starter Kenneth Walker III along with Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh in what figures to be strong group. But that also isn’t set in stone at this point.

During his Blue 88 segment Monday morning on Brock and Salk, FOX analyst and former NFL quarterback Brock Huard spoke about the possibility of an outside-the-box move the Seahawks could make at running back this offseason.

“I don’t think this is going to happen – and this would be a real outside-the-box (move) – but I would keep an eye on (Walker),” Huard said. “Zach Charbonnet I think is a tremendous fit into this system. Kenny McIntosh is there and pretty cheap. And neither of those guys would bring back what a Ken Walker (would in a trade) because of what he has flashed and I think his ceiling is.”

Walker, a second-round pick in 2022, is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and coming off a down year where he was slowed by injuries. The Michigan State product missed six games last season, including four of the final five, and posted career lows of 573 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns and 3.7 yards per carry.

While Walker was out last season, Charbonnet proved he’s capable of shouldering the load in the backfield. The 2023 second-round pick rushed for 569 yards and eight TDs on 4.2 yards per carry.

However, Walker has also shown off his ability as an electric playmaker in his three pro seasons. He finished with 1,050 rushing yards and was second in offensive rookie of the year voting in 2022, and he ran for 905 yards in 2023.

PSA: KENNETH WALKER IS VERY FAST!

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— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 9, 2022

This year’s deep class of running backs in the draft is a reason the Seahawks might be comfortable making a move with Walker, but it also could be a reason why potential trade partners wouldn’t bite on a deal.

“I am sure there’s 20 organizations out there (that think) we’re good, I don’t need to trade. I don’t need to give up a fifth or a sixth (round pick) or anything,” Huard said. “We’ll find that equivalent and cheaper value in the fourth, fifth or sixth round, but (a Walker trade) would be one (to keep an eye on) because this draft is so full of some unique suckers at running back.”

In a recent Bleacher Report article, Walker was listed as one of seven surprising trades that could happen after the early stages of free agency. The article proposed Walker reuniting with former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas in a trade for a sixth-rounder.

Huard and Brock and Salk co-host Mike Salk agreed that’s not enough for Walker.

Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Seattle Seahawks offseason coverage

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• Huard on Seattle Seahawks’ Draft: What would be an ‘A’ and an ‘F’ at No. 18
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