Seahawks general manager John Schneider says he’s hearing running back Marshawn Lynch may be ready to hang up his cleats and retire.
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Marshawn Lynch isn’t expected to return and play for the Seattle Seahawks next season. It’s also possible the Seahawks simply won’t pursue the money.
Lynch is scheduled to have a cap hit of over $11 million in 2016, and for a team with several key players hitting free agency, people felt the Seahawks could move on from Lynch to avoid paying him.
If he doesn’t retire or agree to a pay cut, expect to see the Seahawks try to trade or release him. Playing against the Carolina Panthers in the NFL Playoffs, Lynch rushed six times for just 20 yards. He was sidelined for the last eight games of the regular season after having sports hernia surgery. He was acquired by Seattle from Buffalo during the 2010 season and has been one of the league’s most consistent, workhorse tailbacks since.
The Seahawks signed Lynch to a contract extension last offseason. He finished 2015 with 417 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, and three touchdowns over parts of seven games.
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The other significant thing Schneider said Friday was that tight end Jimmy Graham will definitely be back next season. With Schneider making the retirement talk public, though, it is likely only a matter of time before the question gets asked of Lynch and his people.
