Getty Images

Running back Christine Michael got a fair amount of work in the backfield for the Seahawks last preseason, but averaged 3.7 yards per carry before Seattle opted to trade him to the Cowboys rather than carry him on the 53-man roster.

Things didn’t go much better for Michael in Dallas and he never made it off the Redskins practice squad after the Cowboys dropped him, but things ended on a better note. Michael returned to the Seahawks with Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls out of the lineup and ran for 192 yards on 39 carries in the final three weeks of the season before going for 70 yards in their Wild Card victory over the Vikings.

The 2013 second-round pick re-signed with Seattle as a free agent and that final flourish has him in the mix of backs trying to step into the void left by Lynch’s retirement. During an appearance on 710 ESPN, Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com asked offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell why people should buy into the idea of an improved Michael.

Bevell said that the running back has “had an awakening,” which fits with how Michael has described his mindset after the “humbling experience” early last year.

“I was here and I felt like I was back on my fourth opportunity,” Michael said. “I wanted to run the ball well. I can’t say I was worried or not worried about getting another chance. I got out here and want to do the best I can.”

With Rawls off the PUP list and three 2016 draft picks on the roster, there’s going to be a lot of competition for playing time in the Seahawks backfield. The Michael that closed out last season would seem to be in a good position to earn some of it.