A new coaching staff is running the show in Seattle, but GM John Schneider remains in place. The longtime GM, who has top decision-making authority now, will have his new staff take a look at one of his former first-round picks.
Rashaad Penny made a trip back to Seattle for a visit Wednesday, according to Cardinals Wire’s Howard Balzer. Penny spent last season with the Eagles but was with the Seahawks for the first five years of his career. The 2018 first-rounder now profiles as a depth option.
A nonfactor in Philadelphia, Penny enjoyed spurts of success – most notably the 2021 stretch run – in Seattle. But injuries have plagued the San Diego State alum for most of his career. Turning 28 earlier this year, Penny figures to be running short on chances. The Seahawks, however, obviously know him well. Though, Mike Macdonald‘s coaching crew is certainly less familiar.
The Seahawks rostered Penny and Chris Carson for four years, but the latter’s career-ending injury sustained early during the 2021 season left the younger back a path to more playing time. Penny capitalized late that season, eclipsing 130 rushing yards in four of the Seahawks’ final five games. For the ’21 season, Penny averaged a league-high 6.3 yards per carry. That, however, came in just 10 games. Penny injuries limited him in his best season, and the past two have not featured much success.
Penny re-signed with the Seahawks on a one-year, $5M deal in 2022 but was not available to work with Ken Walker in a rotation for too long. A fractured fibula limited Penny to five games in 2022. In five Seahawks years, Penny missed 40 regular-season games. The Eagles brought in Penny on a one-year, $1.35M deal in 2023. They soon traded for D’Andre Swift. With Kenneth Gainwell serving as the ex-Lion’s backup – in a backfield also housing long-time contributor Boston Scott – Penny did not see much action. Playing in just three games, Penny logged only 11 carries last season.
While this coaching staff did not work with Penny during Pete Carroll’s tenure, new OC Ryan Grubb – for what it’s worth – was a Fresno State assistant during Penny’s time as a standout in the Mountain West Conference. The 220-pound back’s stock has dropped in the years since, and the Seahawks have used second-round picks on two backs – Walker and Zach Charbonnet – in each of the past two years. The team did lose four-year contributor DeeJay Dallas to the Cardinals this offseason, which will undoubtedly lead to a depth addition soon.
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