Former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson just finished up what was arguably his best season in the NFL. He finished the season with 4,110 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns (three rushing) and only five interceptions. Yet with this great season by their quarterback, the Seattle Seahawks only managed to win 11 out of their 16 games this season and bowed out of the playoffs in the divisional round. It was a good enough record to make the playoffs, but it was not a good record when you consider their play at the quarterback position.
One of the main reasons this season that the Seahawks did not have a better record was their play at running back. The Seahawks had three different running backs start for them this season. The first to start for them this season at the running back position was Chris Carson. He had a productive season and he finished with 1,230 yards but his average yards per carry dropped from 4.7 to 4.4 and his number of rushing touchdowns dropped from nine to seven. Carson also has a serious fumbling problem, losing the ball as many times (seven) as he scored. Additionally in week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, Carson fractured his hip and it is questionable whether he will ever be able to return to football.
The other two options at running back for the Seahawks get much worse. One of these options for the Seahawks is Marshawn Lynch who has had a great NFL career but is now 33 years old, and will be 34 at the start of this year’s NFL season. He’s expected to return to retirement after coming back to play in the Seahawks’ playoff games. The third running back on the Seahawks’ depth chart is C.J. Prosise who has very limited playing time in the NFL. Last season Prosise only had 23 carries for 72 yards, and scored one rushing touchdown.
It is clear that none of the three options at running back for the Seahawks will guarantee production moving forward. For this reason the Seahawks should look to the draft or free agency to give Wilson the help he needs at running back. Having a great option at running back could make Wilson an even better player. It will open up his ability to run play-action pass and it will give him more blockers in the backfield when he needs them.
