Report: Rashaad Penny expected to sign with Panthers

Another former Philadelphia running back heads to North Carolina.

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Rashaad Penny is expected to sign with the Carolina Panthers, according to a report from NFL insider Jeremy Fowler.

Exactly no one will be shocked to learn that Penny isn’t re-signing in Philly. The Eagles barely used him last season; he logged just 31 out of 1,147 possible offensive snaps (2.7%). Penny took 11 carries for just 33 yards and caught his sole target for a five-yard gain.

Penny turning out to be such a non-factor was a bit bizarre in the context of the buzz that was generated by the Eagles originally signing him in March 2023. He was their first external free agent signing last offseason! We had a great Jonny Page article titled “Eagles All-22 Film Review: Rashaad Penny is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL”! As evidenced by a poll conducted here at Bleeding Green Nation, there was legitimate thought (including from yours truly) he could be the Eagles’ leading rusher!

The Eagles clearly didn’t love what they saw from Penny in offseason practices; he didn’t see much run with the first team unit. D’Andre Swift and Kenny Gainwell were regularly ahead of him.

Though Penny failed to majorly stand out, I don’t think he looked bad. I actually thought he flashed more than Gainwell did in training camp.

It’ll be interesting to see how Penny fares in Carolina, where he’s reunited with former Seattle Seahawks assistant and current Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Maybe he’s truly cooked and the Eagles were right to not use him more often. Or maybe there’s something to the same Eagles coaching staff that tried to make Gainwell their lead back (see: 18 touches for him in Week 1 to just two for Swift) not having the best read on their own running back room?

Penny is the second former Eagles running back to sign with the Panthers since last offseason. He joins Miles Sanders there, though there seems to be speculation Sanders could be traded. The Panthers were the first team to select a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft by taking Jonathon Brooks at No. 46 overall. They’re also returning last year’s leading rusher, Chuba Hubbard.

The Eagles will host the Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field this upcoming season.