Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is the engine that makes the team's offense go. Russell Wilson is a heck of a young quarterback who has done a lot of impressive things in his short time in the NFL. But Lynch is the, excuse me for this lame pun, lynch pin of Seattle's offense.
As such, it must have been disconcerting for the team to see Lynch hold out for eight days during training camp in order to get more money. While the two sides did work something out, who's to say they want to repeat that process again this offseason?
"There were reports earlier in the season that Lynch's days were numbered because of dissatisfaction with his contract, friction with the organization, and Robert Turbin and Christine Michaels as his potential successors at running back," Joel Corry of CBS Sports wrote.
Regardless of Seattle's relationship with Lynch, they can't afford to let him go. The team's win over the Green Bay Packers, in which Lynch was the only player on offense to show up, is a telltale sign of his importance to the team. Despite approaching 29 years old and receiving at least 280 carries in four straight seasons, Lynch is coming off arguably his most impressive year. The running back notched 1,306 rushing yards while setting career highs in rushing touchdowns (13), receiving yards (367) and receiving touchdowns (4).
Corry suggests that the Seahawks could emulate what the San Francisco 49ers have done with aging running back Frank Gore over the last few years, signing him to smaller short-term deals along the way.
"Seattle should also consider giving Lynch a short-term contract extension since he is seemingly defying the odds of older running backs with significant mileage," Corry wrote. "Lynch is 37th all-time in the NFL with 2,033 career rushing attempts. For example, the Seahawks could pick up $1 million of 2015 cap space by extending Lynch's contract for two years at the same $7.5 million average per year of his existing deal..."
Beastmode is just too important for Seattle to let go of just yet.
