Though he is still retired from the NFL, former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch visited the Oakland Raiders facility in Alameda last week, amidst reports that he is eyeing a return to to football to play for his hometown team. On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Seahawks are expected to trade Lynch to the Raiders ahead of the 2017 season, assuming they can work out a contract beforehand.
Sources: The #Seahawks & #Raiders are expected to work out a trade for Marshawn Lynch to Oakland. It’s contingent on a reworked contract 1st
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2017
Per @NFL rules, if retired RB Marshawn Lynch is traded, he does not have to file a letter un-retiring. It would be a clean return to play.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2017
Marshawn Lynch had permission from SEA to talk to #Raiders. His agents have permission to rework his deal. IF it happens, then trade talks
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2017
Lynch’s most recent contract extension was signed before the 2015 season for two-years, and worth $24 million. Lynch retired after that season, and would be owed around $9 million in 2017 under his current deal. Spotrac approximates Lynch’s current market value at $5.4 million for next year.
Lynch, 30, is an Oakland native, and Bay Area fan favorite after attending and staring for Cal from 2004-2006. Lynch spent most of the 2015 season on the shelf dealing with a sports hernia. Lynch’s last full season was 2014, where he gained 1,306 yards rushing on 4.7 yards per carry, leading many to believe that Lynch is still capable of being a productive NFL back. If he is, one can only imagine how effective he would be behind one of the best offensive lines in football.
The Raiders are looking to replace running back Latavius Murray who recently departed for the Vikings in free agency. Oakland has also been linked to former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for all but three games in 2016. Taiwan Jones is currently listed as the Raiders’ starting running back.
In nine seasons as a pro, Lynch gained 9,112 yards on the ground, scoring 74 TDs and earning five trips to the Pro Bowl.
