Zach Charbonnet

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		49	1,761	21	4.1
2025		16	730	12	4.0
2024		17	569	8	4.2
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Seahawks secured an absolute steal with Zach Charbonnet's extension, earning an A CVI that represents exceptional value for a rotational running back. At just $1.7M per year, Seattle locked up a reliable contributor at a fraction of what similar tier backs command on the open market — this deal screams front office competence in a league where teams routinely overpay for backfield depth. The $3.8M guaranteed over four years provides meaningful security for Charbonnet while giving the Seahawks incredible cost control through his prime years, mitigating the typical risk associated with the position's injury rate and shelf life. Even as a rotational player rather than a featured back, Charbonnet's production profile justifies starter money in today's market, making this contract structure a masterclass in identifying value before it becomes expensive. This extension not only shores up Seattle's backfield depth at a bargain rate but also demonstrates how smart organizations can extract maximum value from the draft-and-develop model, turning a mid-round investment into a long-term asset without breaking the bank.

Performance Analysis

Zach Charbonnet enters his third NFL season as Seattle's feature back, a former second-round pick still working to justify his draft investment. Earning a D+ overall grade, Charbonnet sits below the threshold of a reliable every-down starter, though his youth at 25 leaves meaningful developmental runway ahead. He profiles as a work-in-progress rather than a finished product, and Seattle's patience with him reflects belief in his untapped ceiling. The most compelling element of Charbonnet's current season is his touchdown production — a remarkable 0.75 rush TDs per game, comfortably above both the NFL average of 0.35 and the elite benchmark of 0.65. That scoring efficiency signals genuine red-zone instincts and short-yardage value. However, his 3.97 yards per carry trails the league average of 4.10, and his 45.6 rush yards per game falls well short of the 55.0 NFL average — limiting his value as a volume contributor. He generates scores without generating yardage, a difficult long-term profile to sustain without expanded opportunities. His season trend tells a story of real, if uneven, growth — improving from an F in 2023 to a D+ in 2024 before posting a C+ in 2025, suggesting the arrow is pointing upward. If Charbonnet can translate his red-zone effectiveness into consistent between-the-tackles production, a breakout campaign is within reach. Watch for improvements in yards-per-carry efficiency next season as the clearest indicator of whether he evolves into a legitimate starter.

Current Sentiment

The Contract Value Index (CVI) reveals an F-grade sentiment surrounding Zach Charbonnet, reflecting a brutal organizational and media assessment of his standing with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle's decision to draft a running back in the first round represents a devastating vote of no confidence in Charbonnet, essentially broadcasting that the franchise views him as a failed investment who cannot handle a featured role. The media narrative has crystallized around his inability to seize opportunities in the backfield, with persistent injury concerns undermining any case for reliability at a position where durability is non-negotiable. Charbonnet's modest rookie contract offers zero protection against the incoming rookie threat, and the organizational messaging suggests Seattle actively sought to replace rather than complement him. The consensus view positions him as a player fighting for basic roster survival rather than competing for meaningful touches, with his trajectory pointing toward a backup role at best. This represents one of the steepest sentiment declines for a young running back, where team actions speak louder than any public relations efforts to maintain confidence.