Seahawks’ returning Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson seek to be the ‘best 1-2 punch ever’
Rashaad Penny went from his NFL future in doubt a few months ago to a 300% raise to stay in the only place he wanted to be.
Back with the Seahawks.
No wonder he was smiling when he re-signed last week.
“Just feels like this is home. Trying to build off of what happened last year and the success, and just get back to building these traditional ways of winning,” he said wearing a throwback Seahawks satin jacket during an online Zoom call from team headquarters in Renton the day he signed back to Seattle for one year and $5.75 million.
The four best rushing games of his four-year career over the final five weeks of last season are why the Seahawks re-signed him at triple the $1.9 million he earned the final year of his rookie contract.
“Like I said at the end-of-the-season press conference: This just felt like home. I was more comfortable here,” Penny said. “I think I got in a rhythm and a groove with the guys in the offense. So, I mean, it was easy.
“It was a no-brainer for me to know where to come back to. ...
“And I’m just thankful to be back here. I think this means a lot to me and to be back with the same running back group, same type of guys that’s around the building. This is just a lovely environment, and I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.”
Now without quarterback Russell Wilson, whom they traded to Denver, the Seahawks needed Penny as much as he wanted them.
Finally, a duo?
Chris Carson had season-ending neck surgery in November after playing just four games last season. Coach Pete Carroll has said the team expects its lead running back to return to the field in training camp this summer.
Yet it’s far from a sure thing that will happen, or that Carson will be the same, punishing rusher he was before the tricky and potentially dangerous injury.
“Anytime you have a neck surgery, it’s obviously very intricate, and all,” Carroll said this month at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. “We got to see how that works out. You know how much I’ve always loved Chris. I’d love to get him back if we can get him back.”
If Carson is back, Carroll finally has what he’s sought since he drafted Penny in the first round out of San Diego State in 2018, months after he led major college football in rushing the previous season: a one-two running-back tandem of Carson and Penny, both healthy at the same time.
Penny says he and his great friend Carson are determined to make it big together in Seattle.
REALLY big.
“We talk every day. Our goal is to be the best one-two punch that’s ever played the game of football,” Penny said.
“I mean, I feel like we really have the potential. Obviously, health, I think we’re over that. Me and him both talk every day about it. We know what we’re capable of doing. ...
“Chris has been one of the guys I’ve leaned on the most since I’ve been here, and I’m just thankful to have him around.
“Like I said, the decision wasn’t hard at all. I knew where I wanted to be. And being here with him again, I think it is going to create much more fun.”
One report when Penny re-signed said he turned down more money elsewhere to return to Seattle.
Penny said he wasn’t focused on maximizing his money in his first run at NFL free agency. He didn’t sound like a very eager shopper.
“To be honest, I really wasn’t even focused on all the deals and everything,” he said. “I voiced my opinions to my agent, who’s done an amazing job, just getting it done with these guys here.”
Penny’s agent, Rocky Arcenaux of Alliance Sports Management, did not return a message from The News Tribune.
Asked how many teams were interested in Penny during free agency, he said: “Just this team. I’m thankful for this team.
“I think I had my eyes set on where I wanted to be, and we made it happen. And I’m here now.”
Finally healthy
This is the first offseason Penny hasn’t been affected by a prior injury. He’s fully healed from the calf injury he got in last season’s opener at Indianapolis in September and kept him out five games into late October.
Then he took the advice of new teammate Adrian Peterson, the future Hall-of-Fame running back, and attacked defenders who were trying to attack his knee he had surgically reconstructed in late 2020. Penny romped for 137, 135, 170 and a career-best 190 yards in four of Seattle’s final five games of the 2021 season.
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“His confidence just soared,” Carroll said. “He goes into the offseason feeling the best he’s felt from the last three years. He’s off to a great start. He’s working hard, he’s determined and disciplined. ...
“His explosiveness just jumped out. The ability to break tackles, run an aggressive downfield, and then turn good opportunities into great opportunities and touchdowns ... Of course, it’s rewarding for us because we drafted him in a high spot way back when, and to see him explode at this time and really show who he is and what he’s all about, it was really a thrill. Our players love to see that emergence, that shift, and his impact.”
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Last winter into spring Penny was still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. He sustained a devastating, non-contact injury while playing against the Rams in Los Angeles in December 2020.
He was beset by multiple injuries his first three NFL seasons. Those began with him breaking a bone in his hand during a pass-blocking drill in his rookie training camp four years ago.
He looked like his career might be dead-ending when the Seahawks refused the fifth-year option on his contract last offseason, then he got hurt yet again in September.
Then, at the 11th-hour before his contract was to expire, Penny flourished.
Instead of the richest free-agent deal he could find this month, Penny said, “I was more so just focused on just getting ready for this season, being in the best shape, getting my body in the best position to play football for 18 games or however many we play, 21 games. I’m just excited to get going again.
“And I think this offseason have been the most important because I didn’t have to go through surgeries and have setback times. I finally was able to just keep rolling and keep going.
“And yeah, it’s not over yet.”
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 12:56 PM.
