The Seattle Seahawks and Marshawn Lynch could be headed for a split in 2015 and if the team trades or releases the running back, the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders all could be potential targets for Lynch, as he is still one of the top players in the league at his position.
Lynch has been one of the most valuable players for the Seahawks over this sustained run of success and it would be tough to adjust without him. Earlier this season ESPN.com reported that Lynch likely would not be on the roster into the 2015 season, but it appears as if the team is still looking at bringing him back. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team is "more open" to bringing back Lynch in 2015, as he has been a key part to the success for the Seahawks despite his off the field antics.
Lynch be turning 29 in April and is owed $7 million in salary along with bonuses and that is what could keep him from returning. Lynch took money up front after holding out before the season and along with business reasons, the team could look at splitting with Lynch because he can often be a distraction. Lynch's problems with the media have been well documented and he also caused headlines during the season after Percy Harvin was traded. The team now has to weigh the value of Lynch on the field with the distractions he can create off of it.
Lynch comes in after rushing for 1306 yards this season and he scored 13 touchdowns, marking the fourth straight season with at least 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lynch has averaged at least 4.2 yards per carry in four straight seasons and this year he had 280 carries, which he has also reached in four straight years. Lynch is a tough runner and sheds tackles constantly and wherever he ends up he should be productive.
Seattle was the top ranked rushing offense in the league this past season and losing Lynch would put a dent in that. Lynch is as productive as any player in the league and his time with the Seahawks has been wildly successful, but that could be coming to an end. The team has to sign Russell Wilson and a number of other players after this season and that could force the team to cut dollars in other places. Lynch is not a typical running back, but as he gets closer to 30 he could start breaking down with all the carries he has had over the past four years and that could lead to the Seahawks making a tough decision.
The Seahawks have locked up Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas and Wilson's deal is coming up next and this comes after the team and Lynch had a contract dispute earlier last offseason. The running back position is an interesting one for the Seahawks, as Lynch has clearly been extremely valuable for the team, but the position appears to be the most replaceable one in the league these days. The Denver Broncos used a stable of backs this season and CJ Anderson ended up in the Pro Bowl and the Seahawks could look at younger, lesser expensive options over Lynch moving forward.