The Seattle Seahawks have added another starting running back to the depth chart on Friday, signing former Houston Texans swiss-army knife Carlos Hyde to a one-year deal. The move comes from a lack of health in the RB room, as Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are both still rehabbing from massive injuries sustained during the 2019 season.
NFL Network initially broke the story, stating that the move came just days after Seattle reportedly offered a contract to fellow free agent running back Devonta Freeman, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. Freeman, who’s reportedly also drawn interest from the Eagles and Jets, “didn’t bite at their offer,” per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, so the Seahawks quickly pivoted to Hyde, arguably the top back still on the market. This move most likely seals the deal on Marshawn Lynch retiring once again after making his comeback for last year’s playoff run.
Carson, who’s been the focal point in the Seahawk’s offense the past few seasons, has topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last two campaigns. He is expected to be ready for the start of the season after suffering a hip fracture in December. Penny, the club’s 27th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, isn’t likely to be back anytime soon after suffering a torn ACL in Week 14 of the 2019 campaign. He is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to open 2020.
Best case scenario sounds like Hyde should split carries Carson to start the year while also being more of a pass-game threat. A backup with the San Francisco 49ers to start his NFL career, Hyde combined for 17 touchdowns from 2016-17 before traveling across the country between the Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars.
