The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl defeat to the New England Patriots. A bitter defeat, but still a great season for the team.

One of the best players in the league, Marshawn Lynch is rumored to have a new contract coming his way pretty soon. According to multiple reports, head coach Pete Carroll and the rest of Seahawks management have actively been in contract negotiations with Lynch.

Lynch is still under contract until the end of next season, in which he will make $5 million in base salary. The Seahawks don't have to re-sign Lynch this offseason, but it would be very beneficial if they did so. If the Seahawks choose to wait another year to attempt to sign Lynch, they may lose him in free agency. A very risky move.

Lynch is one of the best running backs in the NFL today with his powerful runs. Lynch has successfully run for more than 1,200 yards and double digit touchdowns the last four consecutive seasons. Thanks to Lynch, the Seahawks had the No. 1 rush offense in the NFL this season, even ahead of the Dallas Cowboys. Lynch is still just 28 years old, and he shows no signs of slowing down having led the NFL in rushing touchdowns this year.

Of course, every Seahawks fan would love to re-sign Lynch, but their team has to be careful. Quarterback Russell Wilson will most likely get a very large contract this offseason, and that will definitely eat up part of the Seahawks salary cap. Like Lynch, Wilson also has one year remaining on his contract. Wilson is scheduled to make less than $800,000 next year, which is still part of his rookie contract.

Wilson is a quality quarterback who has been a starter of the Seahawks' Super Bowl teams the last two years. Wilson is a mobile quarterback, who has made huge plays in big moments for the Seahawks. Wilson has thrown just 26 interceptions in three seasons, and he hasn't missed a single game in his young career. Re-signing Wilson is a must.

Wilson and Lynch have combined to create the best rushing duo in the NFL, which still leaves football fans wondering why they didn't run the ball at the end of the Super Bowl on the one yard line.

Lynch can be a shrewd operator. Last offseason, Lynch held out for over a week during training camp until he was given an extra $1.5 million. Most reports show that Lynch is seeking about $10 million per season in his new contract.

It will be tough, but the Seahawks have to stick to their offensive identity. Of course defense rules in Seattle, but offensively, the Seahawks are the best running team in the league because of these two guys. It's most likely the Seahawks will re-sign Lynch to a large contract, but not long-term. As good as Lynch is, running backs just don't last very long in the NFL. Wilson, on the other hand, will probably get a long-term contract because he is a young quarterback who stays healthy.

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