Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker Decision Draws ‘Punch Himself’ Criticism Ahead of Chiefs Matchup

The Seattle Seahawks enter Sunday night still stinging from a 17-14 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 15, where Sam Darnold was sacked five times and the offense managed just three points on its first eight drives.

Now the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs are coming to town, and amid the Seahawks' growing running back crisis, general manager John Schneider is facing sharp criticism over one offseason call.

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Richie Incognito Calls out John Schneider over Kenneth Walker exit

Former NFL offensive lineman Richie Incognito did not hold back on his Initial Contact podcast. He pointed straight at Seattle's rushing attack and the man who built it.

"..I think the biggest factor for Seattle is they have absolutely no run game," Richie Incognito said. "They got the Chiefs coming into their house, and they can look across that sideline at the Super Bowl MVP and John Schneider, the GM of the Seattle Seahawks, should punch himself in the n*** for not even making an offer for this guy."

Incognito also recalled Schneider's parade joke about Walker's contract talks.

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"I was watching a video clip of the Super Bowl speech after last season and Schneider saying, 'Oh, Walker was trying to negotiate with me behind the scenes.' John Schneider needs a swift kick to the n*** for letting that guy out the building. Didn't make an offer," Incognito continue.

He also criticized Schneider for passing on the franchise tag and letting Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III walk.

Walker piled up 313 rushing yards and four touchdowns in last year's playoffs. The Athletic reported that Seattle did not make him an offer before free agency opened. Kansas City then signed him to a three-year deal that includes $28.7 million guaranteed.

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The move has paid off quickly. Walker leads the NFL with 665 rushing yards and six touchdowns through five games, despite the Chiefs' bye week. His unbeaten start with Kansas City Chiefs has made the criticism louder.

Seattle, meanwhile, has just 643 rushing yards as a team over six games. That works out to about 107 yards per game, and Walker has already topped that total by himself.

Schneider's own comments about the running back position are now being tested.

Schneider's running back plan faces fresh scrutiny

Back in March, Schneider was not worried about a hole at running back.

"That's a position that you can find guys," he told reporters.

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Seattle then used the 32nd overall pick in April on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. That plan has run into trouble.

Price landed on injured reserve in early October with a chest injury, and Zach Charbonnet is still working back from a torn ACL. With Price sidelined, Emanuel Wilson led Seattle with just 52 rushing yards against Denver.

The Seahawks have kept reshuffling the roster, including a decision to move on from Trevon Diggs and a deadline-day move to activate an offensive weapon. Still, its search for a Walker replacement remains unresolved.

That puts more pressure on the defense, which has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than 30 straight games, a streak Walker could test.

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The Seahawks sit at 3-3 and need a statement win in primetime. The Chiefs arrive at 5-0 with Walker back in Seattle. Kickoff at Lumen Field is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, and Schneider's biggest offseason call will be on full display.

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