Seattle Seahawks: 3 players who won’t be back in 2022

Rashaad Penny

If I had a nickel for every time Pete Carroll said they would “try to incorporate Rashaad Penny” into the mix, I’d be a millionaire.

In all seriousness, Carroll has been overzealously committed to Penny, the 2018 first-round pick that has battled with injuries during his entire Seattle career.

Penny finally had his moment in the sun in Week 14, rushing for 137 on 16 attempts and two touchdowns.

But it was against the Houston Texans.

Penny is finally showing promise, but it could be too late for the first-rounder to prove his value. Penny rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries against the Rams, and if he isn’t able to find success against decent NFL teams, he won’t be able to last in a crowded running back room. DeeJay Dallas took over against the Rams, and Carson will invariably come back next season. The Seahawks also have Travis Homer, making little room available for the uncertain, injury-prone Penny to command a spot on the roster.

Penny has drawn ire for years for being a wasted first-round pick, which makes his late-season flash of potential all the more frustrating. If the Seahawks do move on from him, he’ll likely have the chance to try out for another NFL team — that first-round label tends to guarantee a few tryouts around the league ‚— but it’s possible that there isn’t enough to merit his continuation in Seattle.

If the Seahawks are truly looking to rebuild, that will mean swallowing some of their biggest sunken costs — and there may never be a more costly pick than Penny, who went off the board before Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Ronald Jones II and Nyheim Hines.