NFL running back Rashaad Penny, 28, suddenly retires after six seasons

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The Seattle Seahawks drafted Rashaad Penny in the first round in 2018. But, after just six seasons in the NFL, the running back is calling it quits.

The 28-year-old made the surprising decision to walk away from the game on Tuesday. The Carolina Panthers placed the veteran tailback on the reserve/retired list earlier in the day.

Penny has faced some injury setbacks throughout his career, but he still managed to rack up 1,951 rushing yards over his five-year stint with the Seahawks and his one-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up before playing the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)

Dave Canales is entering his first season as the head coach of the Panthers, but several of his years on the Seahawks offensive coaching staff overlapped with Penny. 

"I've known Rashaad at his best," Canales said. "It was really a cool opportunity to see if we could get him to that kind of look.

"He came up and just felt he wasn't himself. I had to respect that going forward. I don't understand what that's like, to have a feel, to have a vision and wanting your body to do exactly what you're telling it to do and having it not respond in the right way."

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Despite playing in just ten games in 2021, Penny had the most productive season of his career. He rushed for just under 750 yards and scored six touchdowns.

Rashaad Penny #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the