Panthers add former first-round pick to crowded RB room
Rashaad Penny.
The Carolina Panthers are continuing to build around second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who struggled in his rookie season, posting 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, veteran running back Rashaad Penny, a first-round pick (No. 27) by the Seahawks in the 2018 NFL Draft, plans to sign with the Panthers, likely after the team’s rookie minicamp.
The 28-year-old is coming off a disappointing 2023 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles in which he ran for just 33 yards and zero touchdowns in three games played.
That is why it’s a bit of a surprise that Penny chose Carolina, as he’ll be fighting for playing time there too, joining an already crowded running back room.
Veteran running backs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders are returning this season, while the Panthers also traded up in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft to add former Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.
However, Penny is reuniting with a familiar face. Head coach Dave Canales was on the Seahawks coaching staff when Penny was there from 2018-22.
Penny’s best season came in 2021 when he had 119 carries for 749 yards and six touchdowns. Perhaps he is hoping Canales can help him get back to that level of play and potentially extend his NFL career by a couple more years.
As for Carolina, it’s a low-risk, high-reward type of acquisition. The team seems to be taking a bunch of shots at running back and hoping one works out.
Last season, the Panthers were in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards per game (104.1), so it’s not surprising they have added a couple of new faces to the room this offseason.
If Penny, who has shown flashes of big-play talent, can improve the team’s production on the ground, his stay in Carolina may last more than just one season.
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