Seattle Seahawks: Predictions for key contracts that expire in 2021
By Samuel Teets
1. Chris Carson, RB
The Seahawks can pay superstars like Bobby Wagner and Wilson because of Carson’s current contract. Right now, Seattle’s leading rusher makes nothing compared to other running backs of his caliber. However, assuming he stays healthy, Carson will cash in after the 2020 season, and Seattle may struggle to pay him.
Seattle drafted Carson in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, with the 249th overall pick. Regardless of what Pete Carroll or anyone on the staff says, the organization never thought Carson would become the team’s leading running back.
Like all seventh-round picks, Carson’s rookie contract runs for four years and it’s cheap. The deal is only worth $2,465,129, which is roughly $616,282 per season. To put that in perspective, Rashaad Penny made $2,446,690 between his base salary and signing bonus in 2019. In the first four years of his rookie deal, Penny can make $10,765,438.
However, while Penny is a backup running back struggling to find his way in the NFL, Carson is a borderline Pro Bowler. Spotrac predicts Carson possesses a market value of $7,687,091 per season, which would rank seventh in the league among running backs.
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Carson ran for 1,151 yards in 2018 and added 1,230 in 2019. When he got injured late in the regular season this past year, Seattle’s Super Bowl chances sunk. Even with Wilson, the team relies heavily on their workhorse running back. He’s an irreplaceable part of the offense at this point, but the team may no longer be able to afford him in 2021.
Predicted action – Attempted re-signing