Both general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll insisted during their NFL combine appearances this past week that they are intent on luring Marshawn Lynch back to the Seahawks despite Lynch’s hints, mainly through friends, that he is considering retirement. While Schneider/Carroll provided no details, Yahoo.com reports that Seattle has offered the running back a multi-year deal in the $20-21 million range.
However, later Saturday, Lynch’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, tweeted that no deal is done.
Contrary to reports there is no marshawn lynch deal.
— Doug Hendrickson (@DHendrickson41) February 22, 2015
Yahoo.com’s report, attributed to league sources, said the Seahawks are willing to pay $11 to $12 million in 2015 and $9 million in 2016. Yahoo.com did not provide details about how much of that would be guaranteed. But if the report is accurate, Lynch, should he elect to return, would become the NFL’s second-highest paid back behind Adrian Peterson, who is set to make $12.75 million after the league lifts his suspension April 15.
It may be that both contentions are accurate: The deal isn’t done, but some terms are agreed upon.
“Marshawn knows we want him back,” Schneider said Wednesday. “He’s a heartbeat guy and we’d like to have it wrapped up as soon as we possibly could. Just have a decision and be able to move forward.”
“We’ve had big offers out there,” Carroll said in his presser Friday, regarding a new deal for Lynch. “He’s been an integral part of our program for five years and we love the contributions that he’s brought. He’s a great character in the program and all of that. So we’re excited to move ahead. We’d really like to move with that quickly.”
Lynch, entering the final year of his four-year deal, turns 29 in April. He ran for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and added 37 catches for 357 yards and four TDs. His 17 total TDs led the NFL. Lynch has scored 54 touchdowns rushing and receiving the past four seasons.
In the NFC Championship, Lynch ran for 157 yards and a touchdown. He added 102 yards and a score in Super Bowl XLIX.
4 Comments
In Pete and John We Trust, BUT this money could go to O-linemen, opening holes for the next back and protecting Wilson. If Lynch was traded we would get multiple picks, which John and Pete would use to pick up low-cost talent.
A trade would improve the O-line, result in more draft picks and set up the team for years to come.
Lynch is awesome and a huge part of the team, yet his value is very high right now and it’s a prime time to leverage his worth. A low-ranked team (Titans, Bucs, Jags, etc may be willing to give up some very nice drafts choices for Lynch.
I know this idea may not be popular, yet the rewards are possibly huge for many years to come.
Unpopular maybe and I’d hate to see him go, but it makes sense if they could get another 1st and 4th and pick a couple of the best O-linemen available
That’s a lot of money devoted to one player who’s entering his twilight years. For a team that’s trying to add to its current roster I have mixed feeling about this, especially with the Shaun Alexander extension still fresh in the mind. Confident however that the Carroll/Schneider team has it all under control. I’d be surprised if Beastmode says no to this, unless he’s truly ready to walk away from the game.
There is no bigger need on Seattle Mgmts part to get back to the SB after that fiasco we witnessed (Patriots get unlikely win).Thus the insane numbers.
They see a team without Lynch perhaps regressing…no Superbowl. In that scenario perhaps fans feel Jaded,blame it on the Lynch retirement/departure. More egg on their face to add to the poisonous call/pass that lost them the SB.They likely see keeping Lynch as a pub relations must as well as a cognizant chip the offense must have to keep status quo.That is a return to the big game for redemption.
I am assuming they don’t see that happening without their star back.