Will QB Drew Lock, RB Rashaad Penny Migrate To Tampa Bay?

With Dave Canales officially named as the Bucs’ long-awaited offensive coordinator hire, he has already begun recruiting members of the Seattle Seahawks staff with him to Tampa Bay.

Will that extend to player personnel? As Canales looks to improve an offense that averaged 18.4 points last season, that could include bringing in two players he coached this past season in Seattle, quarterback Drew Lock and running back Rashaad Penny.

Lock and Penny have upside as younger players, but they come with some risk. One has failed to prove himself as a starter in two organizations (Lock), while another has had potential breakout seasons cut short due to injury (Penny).

QB Drew Lock’s Career Has Been Filled With Ups And Downs

If the Bucs were to acquire Drew Lock in free agency, it could be a swap of Missouri alums in the quarterback room. The team will likely move on from veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert, as he is not a long-term option at age 33. Still only 26 years old, Lock has time to develop into the player many saw able to lead the Broncos forward in the post-Peyton Manning era.

In 2019, Lock was off to a great start in doing just that. In five starts, he led the Broncos to a 4-1 record to finish out the regular season, throwing for seven touchdowns to three interceptions. Playing in just five games, he tied John Elway’s record for most wins by a rookie quarterback in team history. By most measures, things were trending upward.

Entering 2020, he had assumed the starting role and started 13 games. However, his sophomore campaign would be a slump as his 15 interceptions led the NFL while he only brought the Broncos to a 4-9 record.

In 2021, Lock failed to lock down the starting spot as veteran Teddy Bridgewater unseated him. In three starts to close the year with Bridgewater in concussion protocol, he went 0-3. After a 7-10 season, the Broncos sought a more-proven commodity, shipping Lock to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade.

The expectation heading into 2022 is that he would compete with Geno Smith and receive playing time at some point. That was until Smith had a Pro Bowl season, relegating him to the bench.

Over the past two seasons, Lock has had the opportunity to watch and learn from two veteran quarterbacks. After inconsistent play to begin his career, he has had plenty of time to grow, mature, and make better decisions with the football. Having 21 starts under his belt is valuable experience as he vies to be a part of a quarterback competition.

Signing With Tampa Bay Could “Unlock” QB Drew Lock

In his season-ending press conference, head coach Pete Carroll praised Lock for handling the situation behind Smith.

“He had a really good experience,” Carroll said. “He worked great with the coaches. We really appreciated his talent and his work ethic, and even more so, his mentality and support of Geno. He and Geno were buddies through the whole thing.”

Seahawks QBs Geno Smith and Drew Lock – Photo by: USA Today

Talking to ESPN after the Seahawks’ playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Lock praised Smith while suggesting that he could have a similar turnaround.

“[Geno] played his ass off all year, taught me a lot in the process,” Lock said. “He’s had a hell of a career fighting back to get to the position that he was in this year. It’s a testament to who he is as a player, but at the same time also gives some light to me.

“I wasn’t in near the position he was, being behind Russell for multiple years, [but] it gives guys like myself or some backups around the league [a reminder that] we’re all really, really good. We’re all here for a reason. We’re all here for a purpose. It was inspiring to be a part of it.”

Could he become a part of an uncertain Bucs’ quarterback depth chart? He does not move the needle like more experienced veterans like Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, and even Baker Mayfield do as options to replace the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Tom Brady. Still, his experience in Canales’ system is an advantage no other quarterback has that is available. That includes Smith, who is unlikely to return to his home state of Florida.

A fresh start in Tampa Bay could allow Lock a longer leash and the playing time to “unlock” the ability he has flashed at times in his career. He would also be one of the most affordable options on the market. A realistic contract could be in the ballpark of one year for $2-3 million with further incentives.

For that price, it is a gamble worth taking if Canales believes he could turn Lock around as he did with Smith.

There’s Room For Two Rachaad/Rashaads In Tampa Bay

For Rashaad Penny, he may be had for “pennies on the dollar” in free agency. While he has been extremely productive on the field, his availability has been the biggest challenge in establishing himself as a featured back.

Over the span of 15 games in the past two seasons, he has averaged an impressive 6.2 yards per carry, amassing 1,095 yards on 176 carries, along with eight touchdowns.

On paper, those are elite numbers, but they come with an asterisk. In five NFL seasons, Penny has only averaged about 67 carries a season. He has yet to play a full season, with only 11 career starts. Could he be relied on to handle a season-long workload? That is a huge question for any interested teams to evaluate.

Seattle Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny. – Photo by: USA Today

Still, his talent is undeniable. There is a reason he is one of just seven running backs drafted in the first round in the past five seasons. When he begins to accelerate at 220 pounds,  he looks like a moving wrecking ball with defenders bouncing off him.

If the Bucs go against selecting a running back that high, or if they believe Rachaad White can handle a starting workload, Penny would be best suited for a complimentary role.

Playing for Canales may appeal to Penny as he looks to boost his stock. In Seattle’s offense, running backs have a history of being productive regardless of their background.

Canales was a coach on the team in the Marshawn Lynch days while also seeing firsthand the successes of undrafted free agent Thomas Rawls, seventh-round pick Chris Carson, not to mention Penny himself.

He would also command just a fraction of the $5.7 million he made in 2022, as injury-prone running backs do not have a lot of leverage. This aids the Bucs’ cause, as a team looking to pinch pennies should look no further than signing Rashaad Penny.