Rashaad Penny

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Lore & Background

Penny's professional journey was defined by explosive bursts of production interrupted by significant injuries. Drafted 27th overall by the Seahawks in 2018, he signed a four-year, $10.7 million deal. His rookie season saw a breakout in Week 10 against the Rams with 12 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown. In 2019, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14. After missing most of 2020, he broke out again late in 2021, rushing for 749 yards and six touchdowns in ten games, leading the NFL with 6.3 yards per carry. The Seahawks re-signed him in 2022, but a broken fibula in Week 5 ended that season. He signed with the Eagles in 2023 but appeared in only three games with 11 carries for 33 yards. He signed with the Panthers in May 2024 but was placed on the reserve/retired list on July 30, 2024.

In Their Own Story

In Week 14 of the 2021 season, with the Seahawks hosting the Houston Texans, Penny had a breakout game, rushing 16 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns in a 33–13 win. The following week, he ran for 135 yards in a 25–24 loss to the Chicago Bears. In Week 17, Penny ran for 170 yards on 25 carries along with two touchdowns in a 51–29 win against the Detroit Lions, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He capped the season in Week 18 with a career-best 190 yards on 23 carries and a rushing touchdown during an upset win over the Arizona Cardinals. Those four games showcased the vision and acceleration that made him a first-round pick, as he averaged over 6.3 yards per carry for the season, leading the NFL among qualified players.

Reader's Guide

Rashaad Penny played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs from 2014 to 2017. As a senior in 2017, he rushed for 216 yards and 12.0 yards per carry against Arizona State and 175 yards and 5.5 yards per carry against Stanford. He received the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week award for four consecutive weeks starting September 25, 2017. During the 2017 regular season, he ranked first among all Division I FBS players with 2,248 rushing yards and was named Mountain West Conference Male Athlete of the Year. Penny is tied for the most kickoff return touchdowns in NCAA Division I history with 7. In the NFL, he played six seasons, primarily with the Seahawks, and retired in 2024. In 2026, he became the head football coach at Long Beach Jordan High School.

Did You Know?

• Penny is tied for the most kickoff return touchdowns in NCAA Division I history with 7.
• He led the NFL in yards per rushing attempt among qualified players in 2021 with 6.3.
• Penny was named Mountain West Conference Male Athlete of the Year in 2017.
• He rushed for a career-best 190 yards on 23 carries in Week 18 of the 2021 season against the Arizona Cardinals.
• Penny's older brother Elijhaa is a retired NFL fullback.