Marshawn Lynch wants to come back and play in the NFL once again. According to league sources, ESPN reported that Lynch plans to seek reinstatement if he can play for his hometown Oakland Raiders. The only way this can happen is if the Seattle Seahawks agree to release or trade him but it looks like Seattle might not stand in his way if Lynch wants to return to play. Marshawn already met with the Raiders and they have ideas worked out for a short-term contract.
Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch started out his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills but that team was unable to capitalize on his talent.
After rushing for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons with the Bills, he struggled in his next two and ended up with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. After one year getting accustomed to the team, Marshawn Lynch became “Beast Mode” and ran for 5,357 yards and 48 touchdowns in the next four seasons. He helped Seattle reach back-to-back Super Bowls, rushing for 606 yards and six touchdowns in those two Super Bowl playoff seasons.
In 2015, Lynch struggled with injuries, only playing in seven games and running for 417 yards and three touchdowns. He retired at the end of the season and it looked like his career had ended. Since Marshawn never talks to the press, he has not given any public indication that he wants to return to the NFL, and up to now, everything was just based on anonymous sources, although Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that there was a chance Lynch could return.
The Raiders and Marshawn Lynch
The big draw to bring Marshawn Lynch back to the NFL was to play for his hometown Raiders team. This would end up a short-term deal because the Raiders are leaving for Las Vegas and the city of Oakland has publicly said they don’t want the Raiders there any longer than they have to be. Bringing in Lynch and pairing him with superstar young quarterback Derek Carr could be the draw that keeps the Raiders popular in Oakland before leaving.
The Seattle Seahawks allowed Marshawn to talk to the Raiders last week. According to ESPN, the deal will happen and Lynch will join the Raiders as their new starting running back in 2017. Seahawks general manager John Schneider said that they have spoken to Oakland about Marshawn Lynch, so the only question is whether there is a trade or the Seahawks just let Marshawn leave by waving him. The Oakland Raiders let Latavius Murray leave in the offseason for the Minnesota Vikings, leaving them with only Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington.
