Could Seahawks try to bring Marshawn Lynch out of retirement?
It may sound crazy, but would Seahawks actually reach out to "Beast Mode" to return to Seattle as their showdown with the 49ers looms?
Marshawn Lynch coming out of retirement to rejoin the Seahawks may sound preposterous, but to fans and media in Seattle it sounds much better than relying on a fourth-string running back as a showdown with the 49ers and the playoffs loom.
Not long after the Seahawks lost star running back Chris Carson (hip) and backup C.J. Prosise (broken arm) to perhaps season-ending injuries in Sunday’s loss to Arizona, folks in the Northwest began to clamor for the return of “Beast Mode.”
From all indications, trying to coax the 33-year-old Lynch out of retirement is still just a grassroots movement and not something Seattle general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll have pursued. But, all options will likely be considered since seldom-used rookie Travis Homer, Seattle’s No. 4 back, is currently the only healthy running back on its roster with the battle with the 49ers for the NFC West title just six days away.
However, long-time Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta wrote Sunday on Lynch’s potential return to the Seahawks, “I don’t think it can be ruled out.”
There is one former star back from Oakland whom the Seahawks have reportedly already discussed signing — ex-Broncos Pro Bowl tailback C.J. Anderson, the 28-year-old former Laney College star who signed with the Rams late last year and helped them advance to the Super Bowl. The Seattle Times reported late Sunday that Anderson, who had 16 carries for 43 yards in two games with the Lions earlier this season, could get a look from the Seahawks, who had already lost No. 3 back Rashaad Penny to a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.
So, we’ve established the Seahawks have a need .. perhaps even for Lynch. But what’s in it for Lynch?
If the Seahawks could bring back Marshawn Lynch, talk about a Christmas miracle
— Stephanie Cusano (@scstephanie) December 23, 2019
He “retired” eight months ago after two seasons with his hometown Raiders. Since then, he’s continued to run his businesses in Oakland, including the Oakland Panthers, a new Indoor Football League team that’s set to debut this spring. Would he even need to divest himself in part-ownership of the Oakland franchise in order to return?
First things first, Lynch is technically a free agent and eligible to sign with any team, if he wanted. But, when Lynch stepped away from football again in April, he suggested if he ever returned it would only be for Oakland.
Lynch first did that when he came out of retirement in 2015 after starring with the Seahawks and helping them win a Super Bowl title in 2014. He played in 21 games over two seasons for the Raiders, gaining 1,267 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns o 4.3 yards per carry. He was running well in 2018 before a groin injury and subsequent surgery ended his year after Week 6 — ironically, in a loss to the Seahawks in London.
Those who have dug a little deeper into a possible Lynch reunion in Seattle may point out that his mom, Delisa Lynch, re-tweeted a story of the Seahawks’ vast running back injuries.
Seahawks lose RBs Carson, Prosise in upset loss – https://t.co/T7R0z9fZds https://t.co/jTvR8OWUMX.
— Delisa Lynch (@MommaLynch24) December 23, 2019
It was the first tweet about the Seahawks all season long by Marshawn’s mother.
Hmm.
Scouring the current list of free agent running backs, Lynch has been far and away the best of the bunch. The top five “available” backs, according to Pro Football Focus career grades are: Lynch (74.1), Alfred Blue (63.1), Alex Collins (61.3), Anderson (48.0) and ex-Seahawk Robert Turbin (41.0), who was in for a tryout a week ago.
Which one of these backs, if any, will the Seahawks sign? We know how the fans in Seattle would vote.