As Rashaad Penny walked through the auditorium of the NovaCare Complex on Thursday afternoon, he took a moment to introduce himself and shake hands with the dozen or so reporters who attended his first press conference as an eagle.
After all, he’s a new man.
Penny knows there’s nothing he can do to erase his injury history, but he’s looking forward to moving past it. He looks forward to being a different player and person in the next chapter of his career.
And he thinks Philly is the right place for that.
“I feel like this is a great place to refresh and reboot my career,” Penny said at his opening press conference on Thursday. “I’m just excited to be here.”
Penny, 27, repeated that Thursday many times: refresh, reboot.
It’s the biggest reason he decided to sign with the Eagles as a free agent. And after five injury-plagued seasons as Seattle’s first pick, Penny is ready to embark on the next chapter of his career on the other coast.
“I think that’s very important,” he said. “I think this is going to refresh my career, being here, just being an eagle. I think this is a great opportunity for me.”
Because when someone talks about Penny’s career, the first thing they mention is his injuries. He’s an incredibly prolific and efficient runner in the NFL, but he just wasn’t available. After playing 14 games in his rookie season as San Diego State’s first round pick, Penny hasn’t played more than 10 in the last four seasons.
Since the start of the 2019 season, Penny has played just 28 of a possible 65 games in the regular season (43.1%). During his NFL career, Penny has suffered a broken finger, knee injuries including a torn ACL, a hamstring injury, a calf injury and he broke his left tibia in Week 5 of last season.
The good news is that Penny said on Thursday he was free from that breakup from last season. So he’s finally healthy as he starts this new chapter.
“I feel really great,” he said. “I know I just feel like 17 games are really important to me. And I know in my right mind that being here, being an eagle, great strength and training staff, great coaches, they’re all looking after players here. I’m excited to be here I expect big things.”
The Eagles may have expected big things… but they didn’t have to pay that much for it. Because of that long and troubling history of injuries, Penny’s one-year deal with the Eagles is of the low-risk, high-reward variety and includes just 0,000 in guaranteed money, according to NFL.com.
If he can stay sane – which is obviously a giant if – this could turn into a bargain.
Because Penny is very good. He has averaged 5.7 yards per carry in his NFL career and has averaged 6.3 and 6.1 in the past two seasons. He is also incredibly explosive, has great vision and is powerful on contact, averaging 3.1 meters after contact over the past two seasons.
In his only game against the Eagles — a 17-9 Seahawks victory in Philly in 2019 — Penny had 129 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries. It is one of seven 100+ yard games in his career. Like we said, when this guy is healthy, he’s very good.
Despite the injuries, Penny has remained optimistic throughout a career that would depress many. But he knows that everyone is thinking about the injuries. Health is also a priority for him.
“I want to play 17 games. I want to be available,” he said. “I’m positive and I’m very excited to be here.”
Penny said he’s known running backs coach Jemal Singleton for several years, but doesn’t seem to have many friends on the roster. He said he is prepared for any role the Eagles give him. And he also said the Eagles’ plan didn’t really factor into his decision.
The reasons why Penny decided to join the Eagles is because he likes this place as his starting point. And because he saw how impressive the Eagles were last season. He pointed out the running back room, the talented pass catches, the great offensive line and a quarterback who was in the 2022 MVP.
By the way, Jalen Hurts has already contacted Penny.
“He’s ready to win a Super Bowl,” Penny said. “…I am with him and I know the whole team is with him. I am excited about this opportunity.”
Subscribe to the Eagle Eye podcast
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on YouTube