The Seattle Seahawks have not been afraid to make changes to the offense this offseason. For better or for worse? We do not know yet. The hope is that Sam Darnold will be just as productive as Geno Smith but without the red-zone turnovers. Maybe Cooper Kupp will supply two-thirds of DK Metcalf's production.
Smith, of course, was traded from the Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Interestingly, the deal happened a bit after Seahawks decision-makers, such as general manager John Schneider, were on a plane ride with Pete Carroll and other people from the Raiders' organization. Carroll and Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald, for one, had a long conversation.
Perhaps there were no mentions of any potential trades between the teams, but Carroll speaking with Macdonald and Schneider for so long proved there were no hard feelings between the Seahawks and their former head coach. Macdonald had no allegiance to Carroll, obviously, as Macdonald only became the head coach once Carroll was removed from that position.
Seahawks don't need to do Pete Carroll the favor of trading Kenneth Walker III to the Raiders
The fact the two seemingly got along swimmingly is a good thing. And it might have helped make the move of Smith to Las Vegas a little easier.
Another player could end up being shipped to Las Vegas as well if Bleacher Report's Moe Moton's idea proves true. In an article about "surprising" trades that could still happen before the 2025 NFL draft, Moton suggested the Seahawks could send running back Kenneth Walker III to Carroll and his new team.
There is logic to the suggestion. Sort of. Moton argues that the Raiders need a true lead back, as their current one is the recently added Raheem Mostert, who is 33 years old. Seattle has Zach Charbonnet ready to step into RB1 duties if something happens to Walker. The problem is that Moton believes all Seattle would get back in the deal is a sixth-round choice. That is far too little.
One, Walker, if he can stay healthy, is a very good running back and should be an excellent fit in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's offense. The running back did miss six games last season, and he has only one year left on his deal, but the assumption should be he has a great season in 2025.
Two, the proposed trade only helps the Raiders. A sixth-round choice is very little for a player who may be among the 10 best backs in the NFL when he is available. The move would probably mean that Seattle needs to take a running back higher than expected in the draft, and 12s should not want to tempt Schneider. He took Charbonnet and Walker in back-to-back years in the second round.
The Seahawks would only be creating a need at a position that currently does not have one. Third-string Kenny McIntosh might be fine, but there is no guarantee he is ready to be RB2. He has been better in flashes, and he also has an injury history in his two seasons in the league.
The fact is that the Seahawks do not need to do more favors for Pete Carroll in helping the Raiders get better sooner rather than later. Walker needs to stay with Seattle, especially if the return in trade is such a low-round draft pick.
