Seahawks decline fifth-year option on former first-round RB Rashaad Penny

The Seahawks will decline Rashaad Penny‘s fifth-year option (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). This was the expected move as the running back was limited to just three games in 2020.

Penny, the No. 27 overall pick in 2018, finished last year with just 11 carries for 34 yards. He spent much of the year on IR, and in the two previous years, he didn’t do much to justify his draft status. Exercising Penny’s option would have meant a $4.523M salary in 2022. Furthermore, that sum would have been fully guaranteed, per the league’s new rules for the fifth-year option for first-round picks.

While on the field, Penny has at least looked the part of a decent backup. In his first two seasons, he had 150 carries for 789 yards (5.3 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns. He also added 17 receptions for 158 yards and one score. Now, he’ll look to reassert himself alongside Chris Carson, Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas.