A Penny For Your Thoughts: The Eagles Sign Running Back Rashaad Penny

The Philadelphia Eagles love to bring in veteran running backs to supplement its backfield. That’s no surprise, but what is surprising is who they chose to run with (pun intended) in 2023… former Seattle Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny. There are plenty of free agent running backs available. Names including Jamaal Williams (Detroit), Raheem Mostert (Dolphins) and Damien Harris (New England). So why choose Penny? Let’s take a closer look.

Penny is a dynamic runner

Rashaad Penny is a dynamic and efficient runner. He averaged 5.7 yards-per-carry during his time in Seattle. Penny broke out in 2021 when Chris Carson was placed on injured reserve. During the final 5 games of the season, Penny had 92 rushing attempts gaining 671 yards. For those of you who aren’t good at public math, that’s an average of 6.3 yards-per-carry, best out of all running backs that year and second best in Seahawks franchise history! Penny also scored 6 touchdowns in those 5 games, adding icing to the cake.

…When healthy

Penny is a 1st round talent when on the field. The problem has always been… keeping him on the field. Here’s a list of Penny’s notable injuries over the years:

• Dec 2018 – Knee strain, missed 2 games
• Sep 2019 – Hamstring, missed 3 games
• Dec 2019 – Torn ACL, missed 16 games
• Jan 2021 – Knee strain, missed 1 game
• Sep 2021 – Left calf strain, missed 5 games
• Nov 2021 – Hamstring, missed 1 game
• Oct 2022 – Fractured tibia, missed 12 games

Penny, 27, has missed 40 out of 82 regular season games over his 5-year career in the NFL due to injuries.

Low risk, high reward

The Eagles were interested in Rashaad Penny after his stellar 2021 season, but the running back returned to Seattle in 2022 on a one-year deal worth $5.75 million (guaranteed). Penny started off strong, but fractured his tibia in Week 5. Then rookie RB Kenneth Walker III stepped up and well… the rest is history. The Seahawks have their guy, but so do the Birds (maybe).

According to Ian Rapoport, “Rashaad Penny’s contract is a 1 year deal worth max 2.1 mil with 600k guaranteed.” That’s a whole lot cheaper than the $5.75 million Penny got last year. Some may even say it’s a steal. Over the course of a year, the Eagles still got their man and saved 3.65 million in the process. But the question remains, can Penny stay healthy enough to actually contribute?

Some other notes: Gainwell, Scott and Sanders

• Kenneth Gainwell figures to be the Birds lead running back in 2023. Let’s say RB1A.
• Boston Scott is returning on a 1-year deal worth nearly $2 million.
• Now with Gainwell, Scott and Penny locked-in, Miles Sanders’ time as an Eagle is likely coming to an end. The star running back took to twitter this afternoon to say goodbye to the City of Brotherly Love (sad face).

Eagles fans, do you love the signing, do you hate it, or are you just meh. A Penny for your thoughts. Comment below.