In a few months, running back Chris Carson will be free to sign with any team. Head coach Pete Carroll hopes that team will be the Seahawks. 
“I do know Chris has got to…look out for himself,” Carroll said (via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times). “So he’s got to see what the situation is. We would love for him to be with us. He’s been a terrific part of our team, and hopefully we can keep that going. In my mind, I can’t imagine anything else happening.”
Carson has flashed serious ability since entering the league in 2017, greatly outperforming his seventh-round draft status. At the same time, he’s been hindered by injuries. In 2019, he notched 278 carries for 1,230 yards, both career-highs, to go along with seven touchdowns. He also tackled on 37 catches for 266 yards and two TDs though the air. Unfortunately, his season ended just before the postseason, due to a fractured hip.
Even though he lost four games to a mid-foot sprain this year, he been remarkably efficient. Heading into Week 17, Carson has an average of 4.9 yards per carry, which would edge his breakout 2018 season.
The Seahawks will have to balance their affinity for Carson with the numbers game. This year’s free agent class will also include safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Meanwhile, they still have 2018 first-rounder Rashaad Penny and youngsters Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas under contract.
Somebody gonna pay him stupid money. They’re better off drafting a replacement.
Penny will be just fine as the #1 if Carson leaves. No way do I pay big money to a running back.
Lonely- you think so? Even with his injury history? He has such a punishing style of running, he has yet to prove he is durable and up until this year (fingers crossed) was fumble prone. He won’t be cheap but his frequent injuries will bring his price down.
I’d love for the Hawks to sign him, and Jamal Adams. However that week 11 win over AZ may have shown CC32 the door. CC32 was still out, Carlos Hyde was the primary back and had 14 carries for 79 yds and a TD. That may have proved to Seattle that they can go after a low cost RB to pair with Penny and Homer as RB3.
Penny
Is terrible and broken?
He deserves to get paid and I don’t think they can balance that with their other needs. Carson is better than Penny but I think they should draft their next RB and let them learn behind Penny and Hyde.
Hyde won’t be back.
“The Seahawks will have to balance their affinity for Carson with the numbers game. This year’s free agent class will also include safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Shaquill Griffin.”
Jets picked up Adams 5th year option. Hes under contract for 2021 at 9.8 milion.
Hard to bet on Penny to be healthy and good, and they’ll certainly want a veteran around whether it’s Hyde or someone else, but DeeJay Dallas deserves a real shot at the job if they don’t bring Carson back.
Penny is far better than Dallas, come on now.
I’m not saying it would be a one-man bellcow kind of deal. Besides, Penny has to actually play to be better.
Adams is not a free agent. He has 1 year left after this season on his rookie deal.
Carson is going to walk unless they get some form of a discount. He’s a great player but gets banged up too easily because of his run style. If he signs with Seattle it’ll be 6 mil annual deal or if with someone else he’ll
Get 8-12 for three years for someone that thinks he’s the guy
The overall problem is the salary cap is going to drop. I personally believe owners are stupid to do this. They and the NFL can afford to keep the cap the same and not make as much money and not hamstring their teams.
Their will be some good FAs that will move because their team would sign them but can’t because of the cap. Carson could very well be that player and maybe Griffin too. Would be nice to have him back but they can’t go all in because of injury concerns.
Would be nice to get another back line Lynch. One who can carry the ball run with power and stay healthy. Let’s hope the owners and NFL don’t get greedy and think about the team and not the pocket book.
Yeah we are gonna trade all this for 1 years of Adam’s. Dum dum writer lol
Stupid money to running backs has proven to be stupid. Carson will continue to be undervalued by the rest of the league. He is not getting McCaffery or Elliot deal. Penny is not even a number 2 RB. Use money going to players like Hyde and Greg Olson to tie up Carson for 4 years. He is a difference maker for Seattle offense. Don’t waste a Wilson prime year hoping Penny isn’t a bust. It’s too late. He is.
Agreed
It takes a ton of heart and determination to beat the odds and succeed as a 7th round pick and those are the characteristics that separate winners from losers. Chris Carson is going to help some team be better.