Remember those flirtations between the Raiders and Marshawn Lynch from last year? Sounds like things could be picking up again. The Raiders are giving serious thought to acquiring Lynch, either through trade or by his release, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson.
[RELATED: Raiders To Sign Jared Cook]
“It could really happen,” one source familiar with the situation said. One source with knowledge of the situation told Mike Florio of PFT there is a “very good chance” that Lynch will return to football.
The Raiders would have to work out a trade with the Seahawks in order to get Lynch, since they still own his rights. In theory, the Seahawks could also cut Lynch as a courtesy to the tailback. The Seahawks don’t really need Lynch anyway now that they have Eddie Lacy, C.J. Prosise, and Thomas Rawls.
There’s also the matter of convincing Lynch to continue playing football. He was adamant about staying retired last year, but it’s an idea he has considered, sources say. Last September, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Lynch would consider playing during the 2016 campaign, and while that never happened, any lingering interest in returning to the league could manifest itself in 2017.
Oakland did indeed attempt to wrangle Lynch from the Seahawks via trade in 2016, and a deal nearly came together, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Lynch ultimately decided to stay retired. Now that he’s taken a full year off, Lynch could potentially consider to re-enter the NFL for one more go-round with the Raiders, but those same talks — including the enticement of Lynch himself — will have to take place again.
One issue in negotiations might be the Raiders’ reluctance to send draft compensation to Seattle, as Oakland may only want to sacrifice something like a conditional seventh-rounder, per Rapoport (Twitter link). Additionally, the Raiders are trying to conserve cash and cap space in order to facilitate extensions for Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, so paying Lynch $9MM — the figure he was set to earn under his Seahawks contract — would be problematic.
Lynch wasn’t himself in 2015, as nagging injuries forced him to miss nine games. The year prior, however, Lynch was as productive as ever, as he rushed for 4.7 yards per carry and managed a career-high 13 touchdowns on the ground. Lynch is still only 30 years old.
In other Raiders running back news, Schefter and Anderson hear that Adrian Peterson also remains a possibility for Oakland. That interest still appears to be coming from the Peterson camp, however, as the ESPN scribes report Peterson would like the chance to join a talented Raiders squad.
Oakland is the main contender to stop the Pats
There the only contender
Haha and the Seahawks who beat the pats in the regular season? Also, Anyone has a chance because it’s football
I’m sorry, but an old running back who didn’t have a great last year and is over a year from participating in any football activities doesn’t sound like a good idea.
Idk man. Look at it this way, he’s had a year of rest, and he’s in good shape. You add all of that for someone who loves the raiders and wants to represent his home town with his home team; I think it has great upside. Plus Oakland has a great O-line and their offense relies heavier on the pass game so his utilization won’t be as much. I think this could work great for Oakland and lynch.
Plot Twist: Lynch comes back, team leaves city
If he came back it would only be for a two year deal.The team will be gone well after his deal is over,unless they extend him
He would be brought in to serve as a stop-gap player until the raiders can secure the services of a good young power back to replace the goal line savvy Murray. And thus there is virtually no scenario in which he is still with the raiders in 2019 which would be the first year they would play somewhere besides Oakland if they do in fact successfully relocate
But I do think they would be better served to pick up a fullback (which are far cheaper) and utilize olawale in that capacity instead.
With the Raiders moving to Sin City, attendance will suffer, Lynch puts butts in the seats while they play out the Oakland area.
Mark Davis is unrealistic by taking the team away from Oakland it’s going to have tons of problems.
And then he has to find someone to cut his hair again with the right size bowl.
I’m really upset with Davis
He’s making the wrong move
I hope the league will stop this nonsense about relocation!
Oakland Raiders for life!!!
Raider Nation til I Die!