Carlos Hyde Signs with the Seahawks

More small-scales signings, but I guess that’s the only thing happening at this point.

Carlos Hyde has found a new team. The former 49ers, Browns, and Jaguars running back has signed a 1 year, $4 million contract with the Seahawks (how on Earth did he sign for almost three times more than Flacco?).

Hyde is a good RB. He had some really good years in San Francisco, and he was a solid player in Cleveland. He should be a good piece in this Seattle backfield, and he comes for relatively cheap. This is a solid signing for the Seahawks.

However, this contract raises two big questions, and only one of them really concerns the Seahawks. 

First, the Seahawks recently used a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny, and he hasn’t really panned out. With this signing, it seems as if there is some extra pressure being put on Penny. He might have to show up and show out this year if he wants to ever be the feature back for this team.

Another big issue is the presence of ex-Falcons RB Devonta Freeman. Freeman is, without a doubt, a better RB than Hyde, but he still remains on the open market. There have been rumors that Freeman is waiting for a bigger contract, but it’s looking like nobody is willing to give it to him. Freeman looks to be caught in purgatory; he is good enough to reasonably want a large contract, but there aren’t any teams that really need him. If he doesn’t lower his demands, he might remain a free agent for a long time.