Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price made an encouraging NFL debut against the New England Patriots, rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries and adding two receptions in Seattle’s 13–10 Week 1 victory.
Jadarian Price Makes His NFL Debut
The Seattle Seahawks opened the 2026 NFL season with a dramatic 13–10 victory over the New England Patriots, but one of the most intriguing storylines came from rookie running back Jadarian Price.
Selected by Seattle with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Price entered his first professional game with significant expectations. The former Notre Dame running back was handed the starting role in the Seahawks' Super Bowl LX rematch with New England, and he wasted little time showing why Seattle invested a first-round selection in him.
Price finished the night with 10 rushing attempts for 52 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, while also catching both of his targets for six receiving yards. His longest run was 13 yards, and he recorded four rushing first downs.
More importantly, his very first NFL carry immediately produced an explosive play.
First NFL Carry: 13-Yard Statement
Price's professional career began with a run that offered an early glimpse of his running style.
On Seattle's first play from scrimmage, the rookie broke through for a 13-yard gain, immediately moving the Seahawks' offense downfield.
The Seattle Seahawks' official highlights specifically highlighted the play as Price's first career NFL carry, while another official highlight showed him bursting up the sideline for a 12-yard gain later in the game.
For a player entering his first NFL game without having appeared in a preseason contest, it was an encouraging beginning.
Price had spent much of the offseason preparing for this exact opportunity. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald had already expressed excitement about seeing the rookie finally receive his first regular-season carries.
Jadarian Price Week 1 Stats
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Rushing attempts | 10 |
| Rushing yards | 52 |
| Yards per carry | 5.2 |
| Longest rush | 13 yards |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 |
| Receptions | 2 |
| Receiving yards | 6 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 0 |
| Total touches | 12 |
| Total yards | 58 |
The numbers demonstrate an efficient debut rather than a high-volume workload. Price averaged more than five yards every time he carried the football and contributed in the passing game as well.
A Promising Start Despite Limited Volume
The biggest takeaway from Price's debut was not simply the number of yards.
It was how efficiently he produced them.
Seattle did not give its rookie an enormous workload. George Holani also received eight rushing attempts, meaning the Seahawks used a committee approach in the backfield.
That limited Price's opportunities, but the rookie consistently showed the ability to create positive yardage.
NBC Sports noted that Price averaged 5.2 yards per carry, compared with 3.6 yards per carry for Holani. However, Price did not receive a third- or fourth-down snap, indicating that Seattle still has specific packages and responsibilities reserved for other backs.
That could change quickly if Price continues to demonstrate that level of efficiency.
Running Style on Display
Price's first professional game provided several glimpses of his strengths.
The rookie showed decisive movement through the line of scrimmage rather than hesitating behind his blockers. His first 13-yard run demonstrated his ability to recognize an opening and accelerate through it.
His 12-yard sideline run provided another example.
For Seattle, that explosiveness is particularly valuable because the Seahawks are looking for a new identity in the running game following the departure of Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III.
Price was drafted with the expectation that he could become an important part of that transition.
From Notre Dame to the NFL
Price arrived in Seattle after a productive Notre Dame career.
Across 41 college games, he recorded 1,692 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. In his final season with the Fighting Irish, he averaged 6.0 yards per carry, rushing for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns on 113 attempts. He also contributed as a receiver and kick returner.
Seattle ultimately made him the 32nd overall selection, making Price the final pick of the first round.
That draft position came with considerable expectations.
His NFL debut did not produce a spectacular fantasy stat line, but it did provide enough evidence to suggest that Seattle may have found a dynamic young runner capable of handling a larger role.
Price Contributes as a Receiver
Another encouraging element was Price's involvement in the passing game.
He was targeted twice and caught both passes for six yards.
The production was modest, but Seattle has been working to develop Price's receiving ability since the beginning of his rookie season.
His college statistics were more heavily weighted toward rushing, so becoming a reliable receiving option would give offensive coordinator Brian Fleury another way to create mismatches.
The Seahawks will likely want Price to become increasingly comfortable running routes, protecting the quarterback and operating in space.
A Difficult Night for Seattle's Offense
Price's debut came in a game that became considerably more complicated than Seattle might have expected.
Starting quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury and left the game, forcing Drew Lock into action.
Lock eventually completed 16 of 22 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, including a spectacular 45-yard touchdown connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the fourth quarter.
That touchdown turned a 10–3 deficit into a 10–10 game and helped set up Seattle's late comeback.
Jason Myers subsequently kicked the game-winning 26-yard field goal, while Seattle's defense produced three interceptions of Drake Maye.
The Seahawks ultimately escaped with a 13–10 victory.
Why Price's Debut Matters
There is an important distinction between a productive debut and a breakout debut.
Price's first NFL appearance was productive.
He did not score a touchdown or record 100 yards, but he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, produced multiple explosive runs and demonstrated that he could immediately contribute against an NFL defense.
The most encouraging aspect may be that Seattle did not need to force the ball to him.
Price naturally created production whenever his number was called.
That gives the Seahawks a strong foundation from which to increase his workload.
Fantasy Football Outlook
From a fantasy perspective, Price's Week 1 performance was encouraging but complicated.
His 12 total touches produced 58 yards, but his lack of third- and fourth-down usage limits his immediate ceiling.
Holani remains part of the rotation, while Seattle's coaching staff could continue distributing work based on game situation.
Nevertheless, Price's efficiency gives fantasy managers a reason to monitor him closely.
If Seattle begins giving him more carries near the goal line, more passing-down opportunities or a larger percentage of the offensive snaps, his fantasy value could rise quickly.
NBC Sports' postgame analysis similarly suggested that Price's efficiency was a positive sign while noting that his limited high-value touches could restrict his fantasy production in the short term.
The Road Ahead for Jadarian Price
The most important part of Price's rookie season is still ahead.
The Seahawks now have real NFL evidence to evaluate.
They know that the rookie can handle the physicality of an NFL game. They know he can create explosive runs. They know he can contribute as a receiver. And they know he can produce efficient yardage without requiring a massive workload.
The next step is volume.
Can Price turn 10 carries into 15 or 18?
Can he become Seattle's preferred third-down back?
Can he earn more red-zone opportunities?
Those questions will determine whether his promising debut develops into a genuine breakout rookie campaign.
Final Thoughts
Jadarian Price's NFL debut was quietly impressive.
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 13–10, and their first-round rookie contributed 52 rushing yards on 10 carries and six receiving yards on two receptions.
His opening 13-yard run immediately announced his arrival, while his 5.2 yards-per-carry average showed that the rookie was capable of producing efficiently against an NFL defense.
There is still plenty of room for growth.
Price's workload was limited, and Seattle continues to use multiple running backs. But if the rookie keeps producing explosive plays whenever he touches the ball, it will become increasingly difficult for the Seahawks to keep him in a limited role.
For now, his first NFL chapter is a promising one.
And judging by the speed and decisiveness displayed in Week 1, Jadarian Price could become one of the most interesting young running backs to watch throughout the 2026 NFL season.