Chris Carson May Not Be Back With The Seahawks

After the 2020 NFL season ended, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he would love to have running back Chris Carson return next season.

"Chris is really one of us, and he has fit into the program great," Carroll said.

Carson, who missed four games due to a foot injury, is set to become a free agent this offseason.

During the 2020 season, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry, rushing for 681 yards and five touchdowns on 141 carries.

He was also involved in the passing game, catching 37 passes for a career-best 287 yards and four scores. 

But will the Seahawks be willing to spend the necessary cash to keep Carson? Carson's value on the open market will help determine whether the Seahawks can afford to bring him back, Seahawks.com's John Boyle says.

Carroll said he knows Carson has to see what offers could be on the table as his contract ends in Seattle.

"We would love for him to be with us," Carroll said. "I can't imagine anything else happening, but from the business side of it, you know, he's got a chance to just see what's going on, so then hopefully we'll be able to figure it out and keep him."

The 26-year-old back was a seventh-round pick in 2017 and has been Seattle's leading rusher each of the past three seasons. In 2018 and 2019, Carson totaled 2,381 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

Carson is a competitive back in the league when he is injury-free, and his absence was noticeable when he was out for four games mid-season.

If the Seahawks want to keep him, somethings need to be worked out soon, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March.