Eagles RB Rashaad Penny can’t wait to ‘refresh’ and ‘restart’ in Philly
The first question asked of Rashaad Penny at his introductory press conference as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles was an easy one. “What made you choose Philadelphia”.
He didn’t have to spend a ton of time formulating a response. “I feel like this is a great place to refresh, restart my career. I’m just excited to be here. I can’t wait to get to work…”
Rashaad’s addition was a bit of a surprise, one few saw coming and one that seemingly assured everyone, once and for all, that Miles Sanders’ time in the City of Brotherly Love had ended. Sanders heads to the Panthers to rejoin his first running backs coach, Duce Staley, as part of a reunion of sorts in Carolina.
He accepts a four-year, $25 million deal. The top four backs on Philly’s depth chart this season (Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott, Trey Sermon, and Kenny Gainwell) figure to collectively make somewhere in the area of about $5.2 million.
Despite signing a ‘prove-it deal’ of sorts, Penny is pumped.
"Playing with a finalist MVP at QB and a great running back room, great weapons on the receivers and obviously, arguably the best O-line, I’m definitely excited to get to work."
Rashaad spent about ten minutes with select members of the media. Check out his full sit-down below.
RB Rashaad Penny speaks with the media. #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/xR6wMRZiAj
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 16, 2023
In short, if he can stay healthy, this should be fun.
If Rashaad Penny can prove to be durable, the Eagles may have finally found a workhorse at tailback.
Stop us if any of this sounds familiar. The knock on the Eagles’ running back room last season was its top guy was talented but had to prove that he could stay healthy. Overall, the talent pool consisted of a handful of guys that all owned the same skill set. Fast forward, and that appears to be the same take on the unit this offseason.
Penny is talented, but since his arrival, most have spent their time discussing his durability… or lack thereof. Believe it or not, Miles has been sturdier.
Sanders missed eight games over the first four seasons of his career and left during the regular-season finale of his rookie year banged up (which led to the birth of Boston Scott’s ‘Giant Killer’ alter ego in Jersey versus the Giants). Penny missed 12 games last season alone. He missed 40 over his first five seasons.
He racked up 1,918 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns in Seattle on 337 carries and appeared in 42 games with 11 starts. His workload will increase this year. Miles Sanders carried the ball 259 times last year during the regular season alone.
In truth, it’s hard to believe we’ll see an indestructible Rashaad Penny next year when we’ve never seen him be so. Then again, Jordan Hicks was constantly injured during his time in Philadelphia, and he’s been almost indestructible since leaving. Who knows? A change of scenery could be just what the doctor orders here. You caught the joke there, right?
