Should Seahawks Trade for a Rental Running Back?

The NFL’s free agency frenzy is in full force now. Starting Monday morning, news came pouring in like an atmospheric river across the Pacific Northwest as post after post bombarded the football world of players heading to new teams.

Unfortunately, for Seattle Seahawks fans, it started off with gut punch after gut punch. One of the first deals announced around the league was Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker heading to Kansas City to join Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Most assumed that a reunion wasn’t happening. Because of that, fans became well-versed in the available free agents from the group of running backs this offseason. Names like Tyler Allgeier, Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle, and Kenneth Gainwell were players many thought could end up in Seattle.

All this is necessary, because Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet will not be back from his ACL injury likely until after Halloween. The Seahawks have George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Velus Jones Jr., Cam Akers, and Jacardia Wright remaining on the roster - with the group collectively offering very little NFL game experience.

However, as Monday progressed, fans saw running back after running back sign elsewhere. Allgeier is headed to Arizona. Etienne signed with the Saints. Dowdle will be with the Steelers. Fans began to wonder what the plan was in Seattle. You see things like “John Schneider knows that free agency started, right?”

Except, John Schneider rarely operates like how fans want or expect. It’s hard to argue with the method to his madness, now with a second freshly polished Lombardi Trophy in his proverbial trophy case. So, what can be done? The free agents remaining aren’t as appetizing. One name that is gaining steam is former Tampa Bay back Rachaad White.

Seattle is in a position where they don’t need to acquire a running back on a long-term deal. Charbonnet will return and could come back to Seattle on an extension beyond 2026 if he comes back healthy. The draft has several running backs the Seahawks could like.

If the Seahawks can’t sign White, what are their options? They may need to test the trade winds at that point. A few running backs are set to be free agents after 2026 that could be acquired as a “rental” with no long-term commitment.

‍The Miami Dolphins have not necessarily said that running back De'Von Achane is on the trading block, but the team is clearly going through a transition after hiring a new coach in Jeff Hafley and moving on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. For a team looking towards the future, having Achane on an expiring deal doesn’t make sense unless they are intent on giving him an extension soon.

The Texas A&M product is fresh off his first career Pro Bowl appearance, rushing 238 times for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns. His 5.7 yards-per-carry led the NFL in 2025. Achane also is a proficient pass-catcher out of the backfield, logging 67 catches for 488 yards last season, which ranked fifth among all running backs.

‍At 5-9 and 191 pounds, Achane is undersized compared to traditional workhorse backs, but his build allows for exceptional burst and elusiveness, making him a constant big-play threat.

Reports are that Miami wishes to keep Achane around long-term. However, if the Dolphins were to entertain calls about the dynamic back, Seattle should absolutely get on the phone.

‍First, the cost both to acquire Achane and to pay him in 2026 is not incredibly high, given that he would be a one-year rental still on his rookie deal. He is owed roughly $6 million next season, which is less than half what Walker will make with the Chiefs. Plus, the Seahawks don’t need to commit long-term to him. Whether it’s Charbonnet with an extension or a rookie they draft, they wouldn’t need Achane beyond this season unless they saw fit to extend him.

‍Of course, the main question is, what would the Seahawks have to give up?

‍The recent David Montgomery trade the Lions and Texans just made might help us create an accurate trade. However, Achane is four years younger and is coming off of a better season. The Lions acquired a 2026 fourth round pick, a 2027 seventh round pick, and Juice Scruggs from the Texans in exchange for Montgomery.

Perhaps a deal involving Seattle’s third round pick this year and fifth round pick next season, plus linebacker Tyrice Knight to help Miami replenish the middle of its defense, could get it done. Seattle just re-signed Drake Thomas, making Knight a possibility to package in a deal.

If this deal was executed, Seattle would land an exciting back who should fit well in new coordinator Brian Fleury’s offense without committing to him long-term, bridging the gap until Charbonnet is healed up during the 2026 season. Plus, this would not deter Seattle from drafting a running back to develop if one or both of Achane and Charbonnet leave after next season.

Achane, with the talent Seattle has around him, would give the Seahawks the home run threat they need with Charbonnet down and would make their offense much more dynamic. Acquiring him would certainly soften the blow of seeing their Super Bowl MVP leave for Kansas City and top free agent backs sign elsewhere in the past few days.