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Seattle Seahawks: 5 Burning questions entering 2019 training camp

By Samuel Teets

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 02: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Russell Wilson #3 after an interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 02: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Russell Wilson #3 after an interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 10: Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to avoid a tackle by Holton Hill #24 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 10: Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to avoid a tackle by Holton Hill #24 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

3. How will the carries be divided between Carson and Penny?

Chris Carson will be Seattle’s top back heading into the 2019 season. He earned that honor last year when he posted the best season by a Seahawks running back since Marshawn Lynch. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff chooses to incorporate Rashaad Penny though.

The Seahawks drafted Penny with the 27th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Penny’s draft stock rose as the draft neared, but Seattle still shocked a lot of people by making him the second running back taken. Only Saquon Barkley was drafted before Penny while Nick Chubb, Kerryon Johnson and Sony Michel all fell into later rounds.

As a rookie, Penny had an up and down season. At times he looked lost on the field and outmatched by defenses. However, he finished the season with 4.9 yards per carry and he broke out for 108 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in Week 10.

Ultimately, Penny finished third on the Seahawks in rushing behind Carson and backup running back Mike Davis. Penny’s 419 yards barely put him ahead of Russell Wilson‘s 376.

The Seahawks seemed eager to push the envelope with Penny last season, but he wasn’t ready yet. Now that Davis is no longer on the roster and Penny has a year of experience, the team will try to play Penny in a way that justifies taking him in the first round.

Davis carried the ball 112 times last season while Carson recorded 247 attempts. Penny had just 85 carries. It will be interesting to see how Davis’ carries are redistributed amongst the remaining runners. I’m also curious to see if a third running back will emerge and what his hypothetical role will be in the offense.

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