Seattle Seahawks: Rashaad Penny is the key to Seahawks success in 2022

With so much focus on the Seattle Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks, it’s easy to overlook the impact that running back Rashaad Penny has on the team’s overall performance.

Rashaad Penny has to be one of the most underrated running backs in the game today. While quarterbacks get all the credit for wins and losses, it’s important to look at how Penny performed in the games he played for the Seattle Seahawks last season. 

In 2022, he ran for 749 yards in 10 games. He led the NFL with 6.3 yards per carry, a tick above his 5.6 career average. But considering he only played in 37 games over his four-year career, it is fair to question whether Penny is durable enough to be a consistently productive NFL running back.

Spotty history

He’s had several injuries in his short career, but most of them have been strains or pulls that he has been able to come back quickly from. The only injury that kept him out for a significant amount of time was when he tore his ACL during the December 9, 2019, game against Los Angeles. That injury kept him out the rest of that season and most of 2020. 

Undeniable talent

When he’s healthy and available, Penny is one of the toughest running backs in the league to bring down. Watching him with the ball, it’s hard to miss how shifty and quick Penny is. Even though he is shifty, Penny still has the ability to run through defenders and showcase his power. That shiftiness, quickness, speed, and power are all aspects of what make him a great runner. 

Another insane stat is that he only has one fumble over his whole professional career, which consists of over 300 touches. That proves that Penny can be both productive and trusted.

He can also catch the ball, which makes him even more dangerous. To shake up opposing defenses, the Seattle Seahawks could motion Penny out to a slot or wideout position.

The injury bug bites again

The four-year veteran didn’t play in the first two preseason games due to a groin injury. Also, he’ll miss Friday’s preseason finale against Dallas because he tested positive for COVID-19. Although he is only experiencing minor symptoms, Penny will still have to be away from the team for at least five days per the NFL’s COVID protocols.

There’s been considerable turnover and turmoil in the team’s QB room recently. However, Rashaad Penny’s success will be a better barometer for how the Seattle Seahawks do this year. There is a possibility for rookie Kenneth Walker III (possible hernia) to play in Week 1, but Penny is a safer bet to get the start and run away with the job.