The Seattle Seahawks may look to release or trade Marshawn Lynch after the season and if that happens, teams like the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens could be interested in acquiring the running back for the 2015 season.
Lynch has been one of the most productive backs in all of football over the past few years, but for a number of reasons he could be on his way out in Seattle. A report from earlier in the season from ESPN.com had Chris Mortenson reporting that the Seahawks had grown tired of Lynch and his antics and it was framed through the lens of the Percy Harvin trade and some reports about issues with Russell Wilson. Mortensen wrote that sources said the front office had grown tired with Lynch's antics, including his curtness with the media.
Lynch was once again fined by the NFL for a gesture he made in the NFC championship game and he is expected to be fined again if he avoids the media during Super Bowl week. According to Pro Football Talk, Lynch has been fined multiple times this season for issues with the media and touchdown celebrations and there is a chance he could be gone after the season if the behavior continues. Lynch will be a main story at the Super Bowl, but Deflate gate has taken over.
The source spoke about a number of issues, including his absence from the White House visit after the Super Bowl win, his contract holdout and also perceived issues in the locker room. Some have speculated that Lynch was part of the issue with Russell Wilson and Percy Harvin, although Pete Carroll later came out to refute those claims. Either way, the Seahawks appear ready to move on from Lynch and another reason why is the fact that he is owed $6.5 million in salary next season. The team is trying to cut costs wherever they can in preparation of signing Russell Wilson and other young players and with Lynch getting towards the age of 30, he is a prime salary cap casualty.
Peter King wrote about this on the MMQB earlier in the season and he cited those salary issues and Lynch's contract holdout as a precursor to him splitting from the team eventually. Lynch is set to make $5 million in salary and the rest of that money in incentives and he will be 29 years old in the offseason. King writes that one reason for his holdout earlier was the fact that he likely knew the Seahawks would cut him after this season, so he held out for more money now. The Seahawks relented and bumped up his salary for this season, but gave no money down the line because both sides already know what will happen.
The Seahawks have been smart with the drafting of Robert Turbin and Christine Michael as Lynch's replacements, as they will be under team control if they release or trade him. While both of those players are not up to the talent level; of Lynch, the team feels comfortable with both and likely will make moves to make up for Lynch's loss.