Don’t call it a comeback. No, really, don’t call it that. Former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch just retired in February. A return to the gridiron at this point would qualify that as the proverbial 10-minute retirement. Still, Seattle NFL betting fans would love to see him back on the field. According to Pro Football Talk, the 30 year old RB is “up in the air” about returning to the NFL. Say hi to George Clooney for us while you’re there, Marshawn. As people who like betting on NFL might or might not know, Lynch is not retired-retired; actually, the Seahawks placed him on the reserve-retired list.
Therefore, the team still holds his rights – and presumably his lefts, too. Should Lynch file the necessary paperwork to come out of retirement, it would be up to the ‘Hawks to put him back on the active roster, trade him, or release him. That third scenario would make him a free agent if he returned before the trade deadline; after the trade deadline he would pass through waivers, if the Seahawks released him. The trade deadline is the Tuesday that follows week 8; according to Pro Football Talk’s sources, Lynch could be eyeing a week 4 or week 5 return. A trade would seem unlikely on account of Lynch’s $11.5 million salary cap hit in 2016.
Lynch said he was done with football. In fact, his exact words were “I’m done. I’m not playing football anymore.” Not even Madden? Whether or not that’s really the case, the Seahawks seemed to have done with him as well, what with Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael. Not to mention that the prorated amount of Lynch’s salary ($9 million) would hit the team’s salary cap. However, the team’s record and offensive effectiveness could also factor in whether the Seattle Seahawks welcome him back like the prodigal son, or tell him “we have no son.” If NFL betting fans had a say on the matter, it would most likely be the former. But they don’t have a say on teams’ decisions. Yet. We’re working on it, though.
Lynch rushed 9112 yards (6347 in Seattle rank him fourth on the Seahawk’s all-time rushing list) on 2144 carries for 74 TDs (57 with the ‘Hawks, good for second place in rushing touchdowns) in 9 seasons in the NFL. Additionally, he had 252 receptions for 1979 yards and 9 TDs. During his professional career, Lynch was a Super Bowl champion (XLVIII), selected five times to the Pro Bowl, first team All Pro (2012), second team All Pro (2014), and two-time league rushing touchdowns leader. As his agent Doug Hendrickson said in a 60 Minutes interview in June, another year or two would “make sure he’s cemented in the Hall of Fame.” Whether Lynch does come back or stays retired, there is no denying the fact that he earned a spot in the hearts of NFL betting fans everywhere. Well, maybe just those who gambled on the Seattle Seahawks, but still.
