At the end of the 2015 season, while players were cleaning out their lockers, Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls spoke of his hometown Flint, Michigan. Flint has gained national recognition for its tainted drinking water crisis.

“I want to be Superman to my city,” Rawls said of his offseason plans. “I love my city.”

With the recent signing of running back Eddie Lacy, Rawls doesn’t have to be Superman to Seattle.

Much of Rawls’ success with the Seahawks occurred in his rookie season when he stepped in for an injured Marshawn Lynch.

They were huge shoes to fill, but the expectations for an undrafted free agent weren’t sky high. Rawls could go out there and simply run the ball without overthinking things.

And run the ball he did. In 13 games played, Rawls totaled 830 rushing yards, averaging 5.6 per carry, to lead all running backs. He also scored five touchdowns with one coming through the air.

Unfortunately, in Week 14 against the Ravens, Rawls suffered a devastating ankle break. His first season was over, and a long rehab process began.

Fast forward to 2016, when Rawls’ role with the team had changed, he was now the man to replace the retired Lynch. This came with much pressure and high expectations given his breakout rookie season. Rawls struggled to find a groove and stay healthy. He played in just nine games, logging only 349 total yards.

Former Seahawks runnings back coach Sherman Smith explained Rawls’ struggles when he appeared on 710 ESPN Seattle in February.

“He wanted to make the perfect cut every time and when he didn’t he would get frustrated, instead of his rookie year he just went out and he just ran and he wasn’t worrying about being the guy,” Smith explained. “He was just out there running and having fun. I think if he gets back to that he’ll provide a great run game for the Seahawks.”

Smith reiterated his confidence in Rawls later in the interview.

“He showed you what he could do his rookie year when Marshawn was hurt, that was no fluke, what he did,” Smith said. “The guy’s a lot better than what people think he is. He’s a lot faster, more elusive. I just think what he has to do sometimes is free his mind up.

“I think he put a lot of pressure on himself last year.”

Lacy will likely be the starter this season at running back, with Rawls and C.J. Prosise to complement him off the bench. This could be a role better suited to Rawls’ bruising style.

He doesn’t need to be Superman, he can just run, and that’s what he does best.