4 Seahawks who cannot be relied on for success in 2022

Rashaad Penny

I realize that Rashaad Penny is a free agent and might not be re-signed for 2022. But let’s assume he is re-signed based on his great productivity in the last quarter of the season. Penny was powerful, fast for his size and very decisive in his cuts. It’s almost like he saved himself for 3 1/2 years to be good at the end of 2021.

But Seattle chose not to pick up Penny’s fifth-year option last offseason because Penny missed more games in his first three years than he played. Picking up his option at the time would have seemed idiotic. Now it seems like a missed opportunity.

But we have a lot more history to judge Penny on than just the last part of this year. Even though Penny led the Seahawks in rushing this year (749) he has only played in 10 games (most other Seattle running backs have gotten hurt as well this season). In fact, those 10 games tie for Penny’s second most played in a season. In 2018, Penny’s rookie season, he played in 14 games then 10 in 2019 and just 3 in 2020.

Penny might be a Pro Bowl quality back but that is only if he can stay healthy for most of a season. Just because he was great at the end of 2021 doesn’t prove he will ever stay consistently healthy and no guarantee that Penny will play the majority of 2022.