The Seattle Seahawks may look at a Marshawn Lynch trade or this release after this season as a cap saving measure and if they cut him, the running back could have interest from the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings or Baltimore Ravens after the season, as Pete Carroll and the front office have reportedly grown tired of his antics.
News about the possibility of the Seahawks splitting from Lynch came up last year and they only got bigger when he had a contract holdout in training camp. The Seahawks and Lynch came to an agreement, but not on a longer deal but for more money up front this season. That move prompted many top speculate that both sides realize a split could be coming, with Lynch getting his money now and the Seahawks making sure he was in for this season.
According to ESPN.com, Chris Mortensen reported at the end of October that the Seahawks have "grown tired" of his ways and that they would look at a trade or his release following the 2014 season. Carroll and the organization said all the right things after the report came out, but it's likely the two sides will be splitting eventually. The Seahawks have options behind Lynch with Christine Michael and Robert Turbin on the team and while they are solid players, they are not comparable to the talent of Lynch.
Lynch has been one of the most productive backs in football during his stretch with the Seahawks, but the team has had to deal with some off the field issues regarding his behavior. Mortensen reports that the team is growing tired of those antics, including his issues talking with the media, his contract holdout and also some reported problems he had when the team traded Percy Harvin. While those issues could be smoothed over, other factors also have come into play, including Lynch's salary for 2015 and his age coming up next year.
This season Lynch is not carrying the ball as much as he did last year, as he has 212 rushing attempts for 956 yards this season and nine touchdowns. Last season and the season before that Lynch had 300 carries and was over 1200 yards and in 2011 he had 1204 yards and 12 touchdowns. Over the past three seasons Lynch has been in double digits with touchdowns and he has 12, 11, and 12 touchdowns in that span and if he is let go or moved, a number of teams will be interested.
The Dolphins lost Knowshon Moreno this season and he was on a one year deal and they could be an option, while the Cowboys could also look at adding Lynch but only if he is cut. The Vikings may get rid of Adrian Peterson and they could turn to Lynch if he is released and the Oakland Raiders also need a major boost. The team has not gotten much production from Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew and if he is available they will look into Lynch. The Browns are also a fit after ditching Ben Tate.
The Seahawks are the top ranked rushing team this season and they are 8-4 on the season and second in the NFC West.