The Atlanta Falcons appear set to have one of the deepest running back rotations in the NFL. But that didn’t stop general manager Terry Fontenot from adding another player to the team’s offensive backfield.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Sunday that the Falcons are signing veteran running back Godwin Igwebuike.
The 28-year-old played five games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2022.
Igwebuike began his career as an undrafted rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. He dressed for one game in Tampa Bay and also played for the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie.
Over the next two seasons, Igwebuike spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets. But he never played in an NFL regular season game. In 2020, Igwebuike played for the Seattle Dragons in the XFL.
Igwebuike returned to the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 2021. He registered his first NFL carry in Detroit, running for 118 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts that season. He also had 7 receptions for 60 yards.
With the Seahawks last year, Igwebuike rushed for 4 yards on three carries. He also caught 1 pass for 3 yards.
Most of Igwebuike’s NFL experience has come on special teams.
He played a career-high 288 special teams snaps with the Lions in 2021. Last season, he lined up for 90 special teams snaps in Seattle.
As a rookie in 2018, he only played on special teams. In six games with the Buccaneers and 49ers, Igwebuike played 64 snaps on special teams versus zero on offense.
If Igwebuike makes the Falcons’ 53-man roster, he will very likely be used mostly on special teams. In the offensive backfield, Atlanta already has rookie Bijan Robinson and second-year back Tyler Allgeier. Robinson is an offensive rookie of the year candidate while Allgeier is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season as a rookie.
The Falcons also still have Cordarrelle Patterson. He’s a four-time All-Pro returner, but Patterson also rushed for a career-high 695 yards in 2022.
Atlanta might have the best running back rotation in the league. But the team’s depth after its top three backs took a hit less than two weeks ago.
The Falcons placed 24-year-old running back Caleb Huntley on the PUP list on July 20. Then, the team released him on July 25.
Igwebuike will likely compete with undrafted free agent Carlos Washington Jr. for the fourth spot on the Falcons’ running back depth chart.
But with the arrival of Igwebuike, the Falcons could also explore trade possibilities involving Patterson. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine argued on July 29 that the Falcons should trade the veteran back to the Miami Dolphins.
