Seahawks GM: Marshawn Lynch leaning toward retirement
Seahawks GM John Schneider believes running back Marshawn Lynch could retire this offseason.
Schneider went on ESPN 710 radio in Seattle on Friday and said he was “under the impression Lynch is leaning towards retirement.” He also added that tight end Jimmy Graham will be back with the team next season.
Lynch, 29, battled injuries most of this season after averaging 295 carries a year and rushing for more than 1,200 yards each season for the Seahawks from 2011–2014. He was acquired by Seattle from Buffalo during the 2010 season and has been one of the league’s most consistent tailbacks since. But with Lynch absent for much of this season, young running back Thomas Rawls rushed for 830 yards and four touchdowns before a season-ending injury.
Seattle can save major cap space by releasing Lynch, who is due $9 million next season. If he retires, he would owe Seattle $5 million in bonuses, so the team releasing him could be a solution for both parties.
"I don't know how that's going to go," head coach Pete Carroll said when asked about Lynch's future earlier this week, according to The Seattle Times. "I don't know how any of these guys are going to go right now. I don't know."
