The Seattle Seahawks will have to answer questions about Marshawn Lynch after the 2015 Super Bowl, as many questioned the final play call for the team and now the trade or release of Lynch could be a possibility over signing the RB to a new deal and if that happens, teams like the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings all could be possible destinations.
Over the last two weeks reports came out that the Seahawks were looking to sign Lynch to a new contract extension, but now all that could be up in the air. Earlier in the season there were reports about the team being unhappy with Lynch and now with the final playcall, that could come up again. Lynch was very effective against the Patriots, rushing for over 100 yards in the Super Bowl and scoring a touchdown. While John Schneider has said that he loves Lynch, it could be hard to keep him.
Lynch took a pay bump this year over money in the future and King writes that the running back realized the money ahead likely would not come, as the team could cut him after the season. Lynch is 28 years old and while he has been very productive in his Seattle career, he is getting towards the age when running backs break down. Earlier in the season Chris Mortensen wrote a story about the future for Lynch and reported that the Seahawks were "tired" of his antics off the field and that they likely would part ways after the season.
Lynch will 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.
