What if Marshawn Lynch Retires?
By James Loss
As the rumors and speculation swirl, we have to ask the question: what happens if/when Marshawn Lynch retires?
Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider gave an interview to 710 ESPN Seattle and stated he believes Marshawn Lynch is leaning towards retirement. Of course, rumors are rumors and not even ‘Momma Lynch’ can speak in certainty about Marshawn’s plans. But what if the rumors turn out to be true? What if Beast Mode has taken the field for the last time?
Seattle may have found a new identity.
The Seahawks battled through multiple games this season without the power running of Lynch. In those games, Seattle may have found a new identity. Russell Wilson competed at an MVP level for the entirety of the 2015-2016 season and took control of a struggling offense, guiding them to another post-season appearance. Along with Wilson’s dominating air raid, Thomas Rawls stepped into the backfield to replace an injured Lynch and quickly made a name for himself. Even though Lynch gathers the love of all of Seattle, his retirement would open many doors to help improve an already scary-good Seattle Seahawks team.
If Lynch were to return, he would use up quite a bit of cap space. 12 million dollars of space if we’re keeping track. That money would be very helpful in the signing of some very important free agents such as Russell Okung, Bruce Irvin, and Brandon Mebane. Irvin has already made it known that he will take less money to continue to play for Seattle, so the Seahawks should feel confident in his return to the team. On the flip side, Jermaine Kearse has openly said he will not be taking a hometown discount to stay in Seattle.
If Lynch is to retire, is Kearse worth the extra dollars? I’m going to say no. Kearse posted 685 receiving yards and 5 TDs this year as he was overshadowed by Doug Baldwin‘s monster season. Also, rookie Tyler Lockett was right behind Kearse in yards and had one more touchdown. And let’s not forget Jimmy Graham will be back next season and ready to prove his worth. Overall, if Schneider has the chance to hand out 12 million dollars, it should be spent almost entirely on keeping the defense intact.
More from Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle Seahawks: To rest or not to rest, that is the question
- Seattle Seahawks: 12s still waiting to exhale
- Seattle Seahawks: 4 Takeaways from 26-23 Loss to the 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks: Four Takeaways from Week 14 21-7 victory
- Seattle Seahawks: Three Takeaways from the Week 13 43-16 victory
Losing Lynch would mean losing a running back that comes along once in a lifetime. Luckily, Seattle has itself a quarterback that comes along once in a lifetime. If Lynch’s days are done, the Seahawks will most likely become a Wilson-centered offense that throws first. Wilson is magical when it comes to extending plays and the receivers know how to make themselves open once he starts to scramble.
A heavy dose of Russell Wilson leaves defenses bent at the waist gasping for breath, opening the perfect opportunity for a big run play that we know Rawls can create. The more Wilson drops back means the more times he can hit Jimmy Graham. While Graham caught for 605 yards in his short season, he can do much much more. Everyone saw Graham was not meant to be a blocking tight end and it’s a hard transition to make. Without Lynch, Graham would become the devastating red zone threat he was meant to be.
Seattle will never forget the Beast Quake and we will all have an odd bias towards Skittles when buying candy thanks to Lynch. It will be a sad day in the Northwest if Lynch does announce his retirement. But as the saying goes; When one door closes, another one opens.