HEADLINES

Marshawn Lynch

Contract Details: Lynch, McCoy, Ingram, Paul

March 9th, 2015 at 11:36am CST by Luke Adams

There were some conflicting – or at least confusing – reports on Friday night about the value of Marshawn Lynch‘s new contract with the Seahawks, and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun provides some clarity today, via Twitter. According to Wilson, Lynch’s new three-year pact is worth $31MM, which features $15MM in guaranteed money, including a $7.5MM signing bonus.

Wilson has plenty more numbers on new contract agreements, so let’s round up those updates, with all links going to his Twitter unless otherwise indicated:

Seahawks Extend Marshawn Lynch Through 2017

March 6th, 2015 at 7:20pm CST by Luke Adams

6:20pm: Lynch has officially signed his extension, according to Rapoport (via Twitter), for $24MM over two years. Lynch will make $12MM in 2015. After that, there’s a “distinct possibility” Lynch will retire, tweeted Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, even though the deal will run through the 2017 campaign.

5:50pm: Per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Lynch’s new deal is for three years and $31MM. Lynch will receive $12MM in 2015 ($4.5MM in salary and a $7.5MM signing bonus), and base salaries of $9MM in 2016 and $7MM in 2017. He’ll also get a $3MM roster bonus in 2017 if the Seahawks retain him beyond the fifth day of the league year. Should Lynch retire after next season, he’ll owe the team $5MM of the signing bonus, though Florio doesn’t think the Seahawks would pursue the money.

3:35pm: After a few weeks of uncertainty, Marshawn Lynch has decided to continue his NFL career, and has reached an USATSI_8233640_168380616_lowresagreement with the Seahawks on a new deal, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). It appeared last month that the two sides were close to a resolution, though the situation remained fluid until now.

If the terms of Lynch’s new deal are identical the reported Seahawks offer from last month, the running back is expected to earn around $12MM in the first year of the deal and $9MM in year two. However, it’s not yet known if the two sides continued to negotiate over the last couple weeks, and perhaps altered some of the terms of that arrangement.

Regardless of the financial terms of Lynch’s new deal, it appears “Beast Mode” will be back in Seattle for the 2015 season after having contemplated retirement following the team’s Super Bowl loss to New England. Recent reports indicated that chronic back troubles could ultimately prompt Lynch to hang up his cleats, but it seems as though both he and the team are confident in his health going forward.

The Seahawks went through a protracted contract dispute with Lynch prior to last season, but the two sides ultimately inked a new deal that guaranteed the running back $6.5MM. Lynch went on to rush for than 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, catching another 37 passes out of the backfield as Seattle earned its second consecutive Super Bowl berth. Once the Seahawks officially get Lynch to sign on the dotted line, they’ll presumably turn their attention to extending other notable players such as Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Lynch is currently en route to Seattle to meet with team owner Paul Allen, at which point the two sides will presumably finalize the new contract. Until the mercurial running back makes it official, there’s always a chance things could fall apart, but it sounds like he has made up his mind.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Links: Lynch, Eagles, Packers

March 1st, 2015 at 8:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Marshawn Lynch offered fans a rare glimpse into his thought process, and it contradicts his post-Super Bowl assessment.

The Seahawks running back decided to use a Turkish television station, although CSNNE’s Phil Perry breaks down the interview, to express his stance on not receiving a goal-line carry to potentially lift Seattle to a second straight championship.

“To be honest with you, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was expecting the ball,” Lynch told the Turkish station. “Yes, I was expecting the ball. But in life, these things happen. Like I told a reporter after the game, it’s a team sport.”

This surprising insight comes exactly a month after Lynch told ESPN’s Jim Trotter he wasn’t dismayed by not getting a carry on a play that instead resulted in Malcolm Butler‘s game-sealing interception. Currently in Turkey, Lynch also gave weight to the notion, albeit in a roundabout manner, that Pete Carroll didn’t want him to win the MVP award.

“I mean, you know . . . I think it was more of a . . . how do I say this? When you look at me, and you let me run that ball in . . . I am the face of the nation. You know, MVP of the Super Bowl . . . that’s pretty much the face of the nation at that point of time,” Lynch said.

Lynch remains under contract with the Seahawks for one more season, although the mercurial runner has yet to accepted a reported extension offer, which clouds his future.

In other news …

No Deal Yet Between Lynch, Seahawks

February 21st, 2015 at 8:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

8:02pm: Hendrickson is clear to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk: “There is no deal,” Hendrickson said. “We are talking.” Lynch has not signed a deal, and given his mercurial nature, Florio writes there’s no guarantee that he will.

7:42pm: The Seahawks have a new deal in place with running back Marshawn Lynch, league sources tell Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), who expects the contract to be formally announced in the coming days. While Lynch’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, tweets that no in agreement is in place as of yet, La Canfora reports (via Twitter) that Seattle’s offer (reported earlier by Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports) will result in a deal being reached. Meanwhile, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports says (Twitter link) that nothing between the two parties is imminent, so it sounds like this is a fluid situation.

If La Canfora is correct, Lynch will earn $12MM in 2015 and $9MM in 2016, though the Seahawks understand that the 28-year-old could retire after the upcoming season (link). Lynch had been scheduled to earn a $5MM base salary in ’15 — combined with his $1MM bonus proration and a $2MM roster bonus, he would have counted $8.5MM against the cap. “Beast Mode” has recently contemplated retirement, and reports have indicated that his back troubles could ultimately lead him to hang up his cleats. But if the hangup on his decision is money, this new pact should be enough for Lynch to hold off on retirement for at least more season.

The Seahawks went through a protracted contract dispute with Lynch prior to last season, but the two sides ultimately inked a new deal that guaranteed the running back $6.5MM. Lynch went on to rush for than 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, catching another 37 passes out of the backfield as Seattle made its second consecutive Super Bowl. If the Seahawks are able to work out a new pact with Lynch, they’ll presumably turn their attention to extending other notable players such as Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner.

Seahawks Offer Marshawn Lynch Extension

February 21st, 2015 at 2:21pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Seahawks have made an offer to star running back Marshawn Lynch that could keep him with the team as one of the highest-paid runners in football for the next two years, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports.

The deal will reportedly be worth between $11MM and $12MM in the first year, followed by a $9MM base salary in year two, and could be a three-year contract.

Lynch is currently scheduled to earn $5MM in base salary in the last year of his contract, but the proposed extension would make him the second-highest paid running back in the NFL in 2015, after Adrian Peterson.

Lynch had been considering retirement, but the Seahawks are hoping this new extension will entice him to remain with the team and try to match his 1,300 yards and 13 touchdown production from 2014.

Combine Pressers: Rams, Jags, Seahawks

February 20th, 2015 at 4:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Most head coaches and general managers who were scheduled to speak to the media in a press conference setting at the combine this week did so on Wednesday or Thursday, but there were still a few names left on the docket today. Three head coaches or GMs spoke to reporters at the podium in Indianapolis this morning and afternoon, and we’ve got a recap of their notable comments below, with all links going to Twitter unless otherwise indicated….

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher:

  • According to Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk, Fisher said today that a report suggesting Sam Bradford was allowed to seek a trade was “inaccurate.” However, he stressed that the Rams will definitely be keeping an eye out for a quarterback this offseason. “It could be a veteran, could be a draft pick,” Fisher said. “But it’s extremely important to have that option, yes.”
  • Fisher once again reiterated that the Rams want Bradford back, noting that the former first overall pick had dinner with new quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke last week before Weinke was hired.
  • In addition to interviewing Jeff Garcia, the Rams also spoke to Steve Walsh about their QB coach job before hiring Weinke, according to Fisher.
  • Jake Long‘s rehab is progressing and the team is working on figuring out where he could fit besides left tackle, with many options in play, said Fisher. Greg Robinson is poised to take over as the Rams’ permanent left tackle, meaning Long will either switch positions or be cut.

Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell:

  • The Jaguars will have a top-three pick once again this season, and while the club has held onto its top pick in recent years, Cadlwell is more willing to discuss the possibility of moving down this time around, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. “I feel more open to it this year because we don’t need to have a guy come in and start,” Caldwell said. “We had no margin for error the last two years. We had to draft them and start them.”
  • If the Jags do decide to trade their pick, Caldwell expects it to be a last-minute move, since some teams wait until draft day to make a real offer.
  • The Jaguars head into March armed with a ton of cap space, and the team plans to be aggressive in free agency, but won’t “spend just to spend,” said Caldwell.
  • Caldwell has received second-hand reports telling him that wide receiver Justin Blackmon is making solid progress, trying to make positive strides in his life. Blackmon is slowly working his way toward reinstatement, as we heard a couple weeks ago.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll:

  • The Seahawks have made “big offers” to running back Marshawn Lynch, and engaged in “earnest” talks with him, per Carroll. The club is still waiting on Lynch to make a decision about the coming season, and if he decides to continue playing, it sounds like he’ll be rewarded with an extension.
  • Having lost coaches like Dan Quinn and Ken Norton to larger roles with other clubs, the Seahawks are still looking to fill a couple spots on their defensive staff, according to Carroll, who said the team is conducting interviews in Indianapolis.

Combine Pressers: Cards, Browns, Seahawks

February 19th, 2015 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams

The media availability portion of the NFL’s 2015 scouting combine rolls on today, with press conferences for 20 head coaches and general managers on today’s schedule. Here’s a recap of the noteworthy comments made during a few of this morning’s early pressers, with all links pointed toward the Twitter accounts of reporters in attendance:

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians:

  • Asked about suspended linebacker Daryl Washington, Arians indicated that he doesn’t consider Washington a part of the team until he’s reinstated by the league. “I don’t even think about him,” the head coach said.
  • The Cardinals would like to re-sign Antonio Cromartie, but the team expects the cornerback to reach the open market, according to Arians. That wouldn’t necessarily preclude a return to Arizona, but it sounds like a reasonable bet that Cromartie will land elsewhere.
  • In Arians’ view, defensive speed is one area the Cardinals need to improve, especially at linebacker.
  • The Cardinals are happy with their current offensive tackles, but Arians acknowledged that the interior line positions could use some work — he hopes to have some competition at those spots this year.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer:

  • Before taking questions, Farmer admitted his role in the ‘Textgate’ controversy surrounding the Browns, apologizing to the organization and to fans for the incident.
  • The GM admitted that he and the Browns understood the red flags on Johnny Manziel prior to the 2014 draft, and take responsibility for selecting him in spite of those warning signs.
  • Echoing what head coach Mike Pettine said yesterday, Farmer indicated that “every option is on the table” for the Browns as they try to find a long-term solution at quarterback. That includes free agency, the draft, and even potential trades.
  • Farmer also didn’t rule out the possibility of trading up in the draft for a signal-caller, adding that he has done a cost-benefit analysis on such a move.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider:

NFC West Notes: Gore, 49ers, Cards, Lynch

February 18th, 2015 at 11:38am CST by Luke Adams

In an Instagram post earlier this week, Frank Gore publicly expressed some doubt about how invested the 49ers are in re-signing him this winter. According to Niners GM Trent Baalke, that prompted him to reach out to the veteran running back to reiterate the team’s position, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes.

“That’s why we talked. That’s the exact (reason),” Baalke said. “We reached out. He reached out back. He wasn’t expecting it to take legs like it did. Nor were we. He didn’t have any intentions by it and he made that very clear in our conversations. … It’s at the same place it was the last time we talked. We’re still working on it. It’s not something that’s going to get done yesterday. It’ll take some time to resolve. It’s our intention to have Frank back.”

While we wait to see what Gore’s future holds, here’s more from around the NFC West:

  • Baalke also said today that he plans to meet with Michael Crabtree‘s agent this week in Indianapolis, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter). The 49ers wideout is eligible for free agency next month.
  • Speaking today to reporters in Indy, including Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link), Cardinals GM Steve Keim said he doesn’t want to get into specifics, but the team intends to talk to Darnell Dockett about his contract. Dockett, who missed the entire 2014 campaign with a knee injury, is on the books for a 2015 cap hit of $9.8MM, a figure the club may want to reduce.
  • Keim also today that he expects some of the Cardinals‘ free agents, such as Antonio Cromartie, to test the open market, though that doesn’t rule out the possibility of them re-signing with Arizona (Twitter link via Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com).
  • While a full breakdown of Larry Fitzgerald‘s new contract with the Cardinals isn’t out there yet, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap takes a stab at determining what it will look like.
  • A Seahawks player tells Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report that he thinks it’s 50/50 as to whether Marshawn Lynch continues his career or decides to retire. “Marshawn is a different kind of guy,” the player said. “He could retire tomorrow, walk away and not think twice about it.”
  • With Lynch’s future up in the air, Terry Blount of ESPN.com identifies three running backs that may be on the Seahawks‘ radar during this week’s combine and during the draft this spring.

Chronic Back Injury Puts Lynch’s Career At Crossroads

February 13th, 2015 at 10:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Marshawn Lynch‘s stance on retirement continues to fluctuate, but the latest information regarding the running back’s stance relates to injury, not dissatisfaction, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport addressed on NFL Total Access and NFL.com colleague Dan Hanzus recaps and expands.

Sources close to Lynch told Rapoport the Seahawks running back deals with compressed cartilage in his back, and the condition “will not heal” and could get worse based on Lynch’s power-based style. Numerous football players have come forward with the chronic conditions they’ve faced after their playing days conclude, but a player as mercurial as Lynch evidently knowing of a condition that won’t heal is a red flag for his future.

The Seahawks already contributed slightly more money to Lynch during training camp last summer, converting various bonuses and incentives he would’ve received in 2015 to a $1.5MM bump last season, per the Seattle Times. Rapoport noted earlier this month of a contract extension the Seahawks proposed to Lynch that would provide him $10MM this fall despite entering his age-29 season. The former Bills running back plays on a four-year, $30MM deal — the fifth-highest in the league, according to OverTheCap.com — and has dominated carries in the Seattle backfield since rejuvenating his career there following a 2010 trade.

Despite this developing condition, Lynch has been extremely durable during his four-plus years in Seattle, suiting up for 76 of a possible 78 regular-season games since the Bills shipped him west. Over the four full seasons he has carried the load for the Seahawks, Lynch hasn’t accumulated fewer than 280 carries in any of them. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) hasn’t slotted Lynch below its top-five annual running back rankings since 2011, illuminating his value at a position where value has cratered this decade.

Primary backup Robert Turbin and elusive but rarely used speedster Christine Michael are the Seahawks’ current fallback options.

West Notes: 49ers, Manning, Cards, Lynch

February 13th, 2015 at 11:54am CST by Luke Adams

49ers defensive end Justin Smith has yet to make a decision about whether or not he’ll return to the team for next season or end his playing career, and his decision could have a significant impact on another Niners defender, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco observes that Aldon Smith, who is entering a contract year, often lines up on the same side of the field as the elder Smith, and benefits from the defensive end tying up pass blockers. If Justin Smith retires this offseason, it could have an effect on Aldon Smith’s earning potential as he enters a key year, says Maiocco.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s two West divisions:

  • A league source tells NFL reporter Ross Tucker (Twitter link) that he thinks Peyton Manning may be in talks with the Broncos to restructure his contract in order to create cap room for the coming year. Reworking Manning’s deal could potentially create up to about $9MM in cap savings, which would give the club much more flexibility to re-sign key free agents like Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, and Terrance Knighton.
  • Appearing on the Doug and Wolf show on Arizona Sports 98.7FM, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim confirmed that discussions are ongoing with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and that he’d like to have resolution on the issue in time for free agency (link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com). According to Keim, the club is currently about $16MM over the cap — incidentally, the veteran wideout is owed an $8MM base salary and an $8MM roster bonus for 2015.
  • Keim also touched on a few other topics during his radio appearance, including cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who is eligible for free agency. The GM had nothing but praise for Cromartie’s efforts in 2014, and said the Cardinals would “love” to bring him back.
  • Former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson, who is a close friend of Marshawn Lynch, would bet that the running back returns to Seattle for the 2015 season, but he admits that he doesn’t know that for sure, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “I don’t think Marshawn knows yet,” Robinson said on 710 ESPN in Seattle. “I don’t know what a timeline is, guys. I would guess that Marshawn doesn’t even really know what a timeline is. Probably going to be a feel thing and we’ll just see like everybody else.”
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