What Seahawks GM said about new RB Emanuel Wilson
New Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson brings something different to the team's backfield, GM John Schneider said.
Watch: GM John Schneider Breaks Down Seahawks Free Agent Signings | John Schneider Show | Seattle Sports | 23 mins
The Seattle Seahawks are set to have a new member in their backfield next season.
Seattle Seahawks announce finalized 2026 coaching staff
General manager John Schneider confirmed reports that the Seahawks are signing former Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal when he joined Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob for The John Schneider Show on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Wilson comes to Seattle after spending his first three pro seasons in Green Bay, which included being the primary backup to three-time Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs the past two years.
Wilson made a solid impact for the Packers during his limited playing time. Over the past two seasons, he’s rushed for a combined 998 yards and seven TDs on 4.4 yards per carry while adding another 147 yards and one TD on 26 receptions.
This past season the 5-foot-10, 226-pound running back ran for 496 yards and three TDs while averaging 4.0 yards per rush. That included rushing for a career-high 107 yards and two TDs in his first career start during Week 12 against Minnesota.
Schneider said Wilson brings something a little different to the Seahawks’ backfield.
“Our pro staff did a great job evaluating (and) identifying Emanuel and just saying, hey, here’s this 230-pound guy with great feet,” Schneider said. “And you sign a one-year deal like that, it’s kind of like a, come on in, come be part of our culture. Kind of like, come prove it, see what you can do and compete with a group. And he gives us a little bit of something different. He’s a heavy runner.”
Early touchdown for Emanuel Wilson and the Packers!
MINvsGB on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/TeQCGxwkyM
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
Wilson will join a Seahawks running back room that lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs. Seattle is set to return Zach Charbonnet, George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Cam Akers, Velus Jones Jr. and Jacardia Wright. Charbonnet headlines the group of returners after splitting first-string duties with Walker last season, but he is expected to miss the start of next season as he works his way back from an ACL tear suffered in the Seattle’s Jan. 17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
The signing of Wilson won’t preclude the Seahawks from looking to further add to their running back room, Schneider said.
“That’s an area (where) we like our guys, we love the guys on our team right now, but we’ll be continuing to look at that position,” he said.
Hear the full conversation in the video at the top of this post. The John Schneider Show airs at 4 p.m. on Thursdays leading up to the NFL Draft.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Seattle Seahawks Offseason Tracker: Free agents, draft picks, more
• Seahawks reportedly reuniting with safety, release cornerback
• Report: Seahawks re-sign defensive tackle Brandon Pili
• Seahawks signing ex-Colts safety Rodney Thomas II
• Seattle Seahawks tender restricted free agent Jake Bobo
Related
Seahawks waive RB who may head back to college football
Wyman’s takeaways from Seahawks’ 2nd preseason game
Brock on Seahawks: Stock up, stock down after 2nd preseason game
49ers owner Jed York pleads no contest to 2 misdemeanor charges in Ohio
Recap: Titans rally past Seahawks 19-16 in preseason contest
What stood out in Seahawks’ preseason loss to Titans
Comments
1 Comments
As a Packers fan I hate to see Wilson go but this is a good signing for Seattle. He doesn't have Walker's speed or acceleration and isn't flashy but Wilson is TOUGH. On 3rd-and-2, a good guy to hand off to because he's not afraid to grind inside and can drag defenders for extra yards. A good pickup for the Seahawks.