The Seattle Seahawks have Marshawn Lynch as their main priority this offseason and they would like to bring him in on a contract if he decides to not retire and this comes as the team is also looking to sign Russell Wilson to an extension and could target players like Torrey Smith, Chris Johnson, Wes Welker or Jordan Cameron in free agency for 2015.
The Seahawks come into the offseason after a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl and now they have the chance to bounce back in 2015. Lynch is the main priority for John Schneider and he has spoken at length about what the running back may do. According to Mike Garafolo on Twitter, Schneider said he has no idea what Lynch will do and that he may consider retirement over coming back.
Earlier in the season, reports had Lynch likely gone in 2015, but now the Seahawks want to bring him back if he is willing. Chris Johnson could be an option for the team after he was released by the Jets, while Torrey Smith or West Welker could be cheaper options on the market at receiver. The team is expected to target at least one WR in free agency after trading Percy Harvin.
Lynch has been one of the most valuable players for the Seahawks over the past few years and Schneider said that he hopes to have him back. The team may look at giving Lynch a lucrative offer to ensure he comes back, but if he decides to retire, players like Chris Johnson, Ben Tate, Mark Ingram and CJ Spiller could be options to replace him. Lynch rushed for over 1300 yards last season and he was on the field for the crucial play of the Super Bowl when Wilson threw the game-ending interception.
Wilson could be in line to get a huge contract and reports have him ending up as one of the highest paid players in the league. According to the Seattle Times, the Seahawks are trying to find a way to get his deal done without crippling the cap. The newspaper reports that the team could look at making his contract fully guaranteed and they also could ask him for a slight home town discount so the cap is not blown up.
Lynch has been dealing with back issues and a report from NFL.com had his problems being "chronic" and that could be one reason why he is considering stepping away. The Seahawks have said they would like Lynch back and now the two sides could come together after the combine to get a deal done. Schneider said that Lynch has not made a decision yet and while he doesn't want to rush his camp, he also would like to know what the team needs to do at RB.
The Seahawks have prepared a bit for this, as they like Robert Turbin and Christine Michael, but they may need more if Lynch decides to stop playing. The team may look at free agency for options, as CJ Spiller, Ben Tate and Mark Ingram are available, while names like Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley could be options in the draft. Lynch has rushed for at least 1200 yards in his last four seasons in Seattle and doing that time he has scored at least 11 touchdowns in each season, including 13 last year on 1306 yards.