NFL Roster Update: Seattle Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch To Part Ways?
Marshawn Lynch was ruled out for three to four weeks after undergoing surgery, but the star running back might not return to the Seattle Seahawks for good -- not only for this year but for the upcoming seasons.
Lynch underwent surgery for sports hernia, which will likely keep him out for the remainder of the season. According to CBS Sports, the veteran running back might consider retiring again in the offseason after thinking off hanging up his cleats during the 2014 NFL season.
The 29-year-old star signed a two-year contract extension with the Seahawks earlier this year and is set to earn $11.5 million next season. NFL insider Jason La Canfora revealed that the Seahawks are also not expecting Lynch to play in 2016 despite offering a two-year extension earlier this year.
"The larger reality is that his time with Seattle is coming to a close," La Canfora said via SB Nation. "He's nearing age 30, all the guaranteed money in this latest renewed contract was paid in year one, he's talked about retirement in the past, they have cap issues all over that locker room now, continuing to carry Marshawn Lynch at $10 million per year is not really going to be feasible for them."
The Seahawks are also tied to big deals with quarterback Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman. They also traded for tight end Jimmy Graham, who is scheduled to earn $9 million in 2016 and $10 million in 2017 after earning $8 million this year.
The big deals with key players is reportedly one of the reasons why the Seahawks are not too willing to spend a huge amount for an "older running back" next season, especially now that Thomas Rawls is showing signs of progress.
Rawls, who is playing in his rookie season in the league, has 122 rushing attempts with 685 yards with three touchdowns. During their 29-13 victory against the San Francisco 49ers late last month, the young running back rushed for 209 yards with one touchdown.
Rawls will have enough opportunity to prove his worth with Lynch out possibly for the remainder of the season, which makes most analyst believe that Lynch will be an expendable asset in the offseason.
Lynch has played in Seattle over the past seven seasons and was a major factor for the team's success in the last two years. In his 10 seasons in the league, the Oakland native has tallied 2,144 rushing attempts for 9,112 yards with 74 touchdowns. In seven games this season, he has rushed for 417 yards with three touchdowns.
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