Seahawks’ Surprising Cut: Did Seattle Make a Mistake with Damien Martinez?
In a series of Tuesday roster moves, the Seattle Seahawks made the unexpected decision to release rookie running back Damien Martinez, their seventh-round draft pick from the University of Miami. This move caught many by surprise, as the Seahawks’ backfield situation appeared somewhat unsettled heading into the 2025 season. By cutting Martinez, Seattle has committed to a three-running back rotation featuring Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, and George Holani—a decision that may prove costly given Walker’s recent struggles and injury concerns.
Martinez’s collegiate career suggests Seattle might have let a potential gem slip away. At Miami last season, he accumulated an impressive 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. His two previous seasons at Oregon State were equally noteworthy, with consistent 6.1 yards per attempt and nearly 1,000 yards each year. At just 21 years old, Martinez demonstrated the kind of potential that typically translates well to the NFL level. His combination of production and efficiency made him an intriguing late-round selection, and many analysts viewed him as a potential steal for the Seahawks when they drafted him in April.
The decision becomes even more questionable when examining Kenneth Walker III’s recent performance trajectory. After an impressive rookie campaign in 2022, Walker’s production has steadily declined. Last season, he managed just 573 yards on a modest 3.7 yards per carry across 11 games, following a 2023 season where he averaged only 4.1 yards per attempt. With just one year remaining on his contract, Walker’s future in Seattle appears uncertain. This context makes the decision to part ways with a promising young talent like Martinez all the more perplexing, especially considering the value of developing depth at such a physically demanding position.
While Zach Charbonnet appears positioned to potentially take over as the lead back should Walker depart after this season, having healthy competition in the backfield is typically beneficial for any NFL team. George Holani did impress during preseason action, which may have factored into the Seahawks’ decision-making process. However, Martinez represented the kind of under-the-radar talent that successful organizations often develop into contributors. Coming from Lewisville, Texas, Martinez had consistently outperformed expectations at both Oregon State and Miami, suggesting he might have continued that trajectory at the professional level if given the opportunity in Seattle.
The risk for the Seahawks is that Martinez will likely find a home elsewhere in the NFL, potentially developing into the kind of running back that makes teams regret their decision to let him go. Seattle’s backfield now lacks the additional developmental depth that Martinez represented, and if Walker’s injury concerns persist or his performance continues to decline, the team might find themselves wishing they had retained their seventh-round selection. NFL history is filled with examples of late-round running backs who blossomed into stars when given the right opportunity, and Martinez’s college production suggests he could follow that path.
As the Seahawks prepare to open their regular season against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday, their backfield situation will be worth monitoring. New head coach Mike Macdonald and his staff have made their decision to move forward with Walker, Charbonnet, and Holani, but the release of Martinez represents one of those subtle roster moves that might be revisited later if he finds success elsewhere. Only time will tell whether cutting the rookie running back was a necessary roster management decision or a missed opportunity to develop a potential contributor at a position where the Seahawks face uncertainty beyond the 2025 season.
