More Talk That Marshawn Lynch Is Unlikely To Be Back With Seahawks Next Year

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that Marshawn Lynch “almost definitely” won’t be back with the Seahawks in 2016.

Florio points to the fact that Lynch is due $9 million in base salary to go along with a cap figure of $11.5 million. On top of that, the emergence of Thomas Rawls, who will make just $525,000 next year, could lead to the Seahawks parting with Lynch and taking the cap savings.

While many would have assumed that things would have gotten worse for Seattle without Lynch in the lineup, Florio notes that Russell Wilson is on the best seven-game stretch of his career.

Former NFL executive Joe Banner adds that the Seahawks are averaging six more points in games Lynch misses, so his presence isn’t as missed as many would have anticipated.

There’s also a chance that Lynch could call it a career and walk away from the NFL, which has been something he’s considered in recent years.

Lynch, 29, is in the first year of his three-year, $31 million contract that included $12 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $4.5 million this season and another $9 million in 2016.

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Lynch next year would free up $6.5 million in cap space for the Seahawks while creating $5 million in dead money.

This season, Lynch has ran for 417 yards on 111 carries (3.8 YPC) to go along with 13 receptions for 80 yards receiving and three total touchdowns over the course of seven games.

We’ll have more regarding Lynch’s future with the Seahawks as the news is available.