Could the Seattle Seahawks' newest running back, Jadarian Price, be the next Offensive Rookie of the Year? It's a question worth asking as the team heads into the 2026 season with a revamped backfield.

Seattle entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a glaring need at running back, so it came as no surprise when general manager John Schneider used the No. 32 overall pick on the explosive Notre Dame standout. Price isn't just any rookie—he's projected to take on a massive role right out of the gate, and that kind of opportunity often fuels OROY campaigns.

The Seahawks lost Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III to free agency, a tough blow for any offense. Schneider would have loved to keep Walker, but the three-year, $43 million deal he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs made him the fourth-highest-paid running back in the league at $14.3 million per year—a price Seattle simply couldn't match.

Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a season-ending torn ACL suffered during the playoffs, which will complicate his availability early in 2026. Schneider didn't make a major splash in free agency at the position either, adding only depth back Emanuel Wilson to the roster.

That leaves the door wide open for Price to step in as the lead back. And there's plenty of reason for excitement: new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree in San Francisco, where he learned the art of the run game. Under Fleury, the Seahawks should continue to run a balanced offense—and Price will be at the center of it.

Historically, the Offensive Rookie of the Year award goes to players who get the most touches. So the question becomes: Who lines up in the backfield for Seattle in Week 1? If Price gets the first carry of the season, don't sleep on his chances to bring home the hardware.