The Seattle Seahawks may look at a Marshawn Lynch trade or his release after the 2014 season, as the RB is getting paid a decent amount next year and after some issues with Percy Harvin and Russell Wilson this season, Pete Carroll and the Hawks may look at moving on from Lynch, as they have Christine Michael and Robert Turbin ready to step up.
Reports about Lynch came out a few weeks ago from ESPN.com about how the team is tired of Lynch's antics, which included a contract holdout this summer. According to Adam Schefter, a trade or release is likely for Lynch, as the Seahawks have younger and cheaper options at RB ready to come in and that the franchise has grown tired of his attitude issues. Even with all that, Lynch has shown his value to the Seahawks. Last week he had 140 yards and four touchdowns against the Giants and he has been one of the best offensive players for the team this season.
Lynch is coming off of a big game and he scored four TDs against the Giants and looked fantastic in that matchup for the Seahawks. Peter King at the MMQB.com added some notes about the possibility of Lynch and the Seahawks splitting and he too sees it happening after this year. King focused on the money aspect and that is a big part of it as well. Lynch is set to get $6.5 million next season and for an aging back and a team that has two young players, it doesn't look good for Lynch.
Lynch previously signed a four year contract worth $31 million and in 2015 he is set to get paid $5 million along with other money for incentives and bonuses. The Seahawks likely will not pay that money and that doesn't even factor into the attitude issues and other problems. Lynch is a great runner and was one of the reasons why the Seahawks won the Super Bowl in the first place, but the team likely will part ways with the RB after this season.
The contract situation is the toughest thing, as the Hawks likely do not want to pay Lynch over $6 million next season. The Seahawks paid Percy Harvin a big deal and while he is gone, they are on the hook for some of that. The team also paid Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman and there are more names to come, as Russell Wilson should be getting a significant contract as well. The holdout came this year because Lynch likely realized that he should get the money he thinks he deserves now before the team cuts him as a cap casualty. A trade is possible, but it's far more likely the team cuts Lynch after this season to avoid some of that money he is owed.
Lynch has also been one of the most used backs in the league over the past few seasons and that doesn't bode well for his future in Seattle either. The running back position is one of the most punishing in the NFL and Lynch has not shied away from contact in his career and now he is nearing 30 years old after three seasons of nearly 300 carries. Lynch had 285 carries three years ago and the past two seasons he has had over 300. While he is not on that pace this season, the Seahawks realize that there is a good chance Lynch will not be as effective going forward as he was in the past.
