Marshawn Lynch is focused on the Super Bowl, but in the coming days he will have to start focusing on his future with the Seattle Seahawks. A lot has been made regarding the pending expiring contract of the running back as rumors fly Lynch will be traded sooner rather than late. Conflicting reports state that the Seahawks are ready to commit to Lynch for the future and now the two sides will meet in the coming week to figure our the best move to make.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder, the Seahawks and Lynch will meet this week to discuss the future of their relationship. Lynch has a contract that runs through the 2015 season with an $8.4 million cap hit. Seattle would save $7 million by releasing the running back which is the kicker considering the team is preparing to make Russell Wilson the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
There have been a number of conflicting reports surrounding Lynch. For most of the year it had been assumed Seattle would trade the running back either at the deadline or in the offseason. Lynch finished the season with 1,306 rushing yards while having 216 in the postseason, but money is an issue and Seattle can save a lot by sending the running back packing. However, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported the Seahawks were having second thoughts on getting rid of Lynch, understanding that he is one of the important faces of the franchise.
A number of players have come out and spoken in support of Lynch's future. Head coach Pete Carroll made it clear that Seattle is in a great position with their salary cap and the mega contract coming to Wilson will not mean the franchise has to fall apart in order to get one player signed. He liked Lynch and was in support of the running back returning. Wilson, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas all echoed those words. General manager John Schneider also liked the idea of Lynch returning.
"He's under contract next year and he's a warrior,'' Schneider said, via ESPN.com. "He goes out there every weekend and lays it on the line. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better running back in the National Football League."
If available, every team in the league will eye Lynch. Dan Quinn could bring the running back with him to Atlanta. The Minnesota Vikings could use him to replace Adrian Peterson. The Baltimore Ravens could sign him to replace Ray Rice. Everything is on the table after the Super Bowl.
