The Marshawn Lynch holdout saga took a strange turn today, with reports surfacing that the Seahawks' star running back is considering retirement at the age of 28.
Marshawn Lynch told 2 teammates last year he might retire if Seattle won the Super Bowl. They did. Asked a source, could he walk? “He could”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 13, 2014
#Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch has saved his money earned in @NFL. His retirement thought is real. “I could see him walking away,” source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 13, 2014
Lynch reportedly wants a contract extension, and is not expected to attend the Seahawks' mandatory minicamp next week as he attempts to push for the team to lock him down long-term. If he wants an extension so badly, would he really be willing to walk? Is this a legitimate feeling for Lynch, or a bluff calculated to force management's hand?
According to Rapaport's sources, Lynch would be willing to walk away from the game completely if the 'Hawks won't play ball, but we're hesitatant to take that at face value (after all, Rapaport has proven in the past that he isn't always the most reliable).
Until this gets backed up by a second source, Seahawks fans shouldn't lose any sleep over the rumor - this has all the makings of a player trying to increase their leverage in contract negotiations. While the team has a highly-coveted backup in Christine Michael, the Seahawks don't sound ready to move on from Lynch just yet - and it doesn't sound like Lynch is really ready to move on from them, either.
