Mike Macdonald has made it clear Emanuel Wilson has put himself in a strong position ahead of the Seattle Seahawks' season opener against the New England Patriots, with the coach saying the 27-year-old has continued to get better and may be ready for more than simple depth duty.
The timing matters. Seattle will kick off Week 1 on Wednesday at 5:20 pm PT, and the backfield picture still has some moving parts depending on whether Zach Charbonnet returns healthy and how much the rookie starter is used. That leaves Wilson, who has steadily built momentum, as one of the more interesting names in the rotation.
Macdonald's message on Wilson
Macdonald said on Monday that Wilson is “taking off” and that things have opened up for him. He added that the runner has “kind of came out of his shell a little bit since he’s gotten here” and that he understands how the Seahawks operate.
The head coach also said that since Wilson started practicing again, he has “put himself in a great position.” That is strong praise at this stage of the week, and it points to a player who has done enough to earn real trust before the opener.
Why Wilson looks set for a role
Wilson's case is built on steady production. In 2024, he posted 502 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. In 2025, he ran for at least 496 yards, which suggests he has kept trending in the right direction.
That kind of form does not guarantee a starring role, but it does make him difficult to ignore. The article's wider point is that Wilson looks more likely to be a meaningful part of the plan than a simple insurance option.
What it means for Seattle's rotation
The Seahawks have other names who could factor into the backfield mix, including Zach Charbonnet, Walker and Charbonnet, George Holani and Kenneth Walker III. But the opener against the Patriots will quickly show how the workload is shared and whether Wilson is trusted in live action.
Seattle dominated the Patriots in February in the NFL’s first Super Bowl rematch context, but Week 1 is a different test. If Wilson carries the confidence Macdonald described, he could end up being more than just a depth piece as the Seahawks settle their running back rotation for the start of the season.
