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Marshawn Lynch returning to Seattle Seahawks on new deal

By Patrick Schmidt

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball in Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball in Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Marshawn Lynch will not retire and will return to the Seattle Seahawks for the 2015 NFL season after flirting with walking away from the game.

The Seattle Seahawks got some great news with free agency right around the corner and the NFL Draft looming later in the spring with Marshawn Lynch’s decision to return for the 2015 season.

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Lynch had toyed with the idea of retirement, citing wear and tear on his body, but many believed this was just posturing for some more guaranteed money. I mean, he’s just about that action, so the retirement talk didn’t seem to hold much weight.

Considering he is turning 29 in April and coming off four-straight Pro Bowl appearances and two straight seasons ending in the Super Bowl, it would have been a complete stunner if Lynch decided to walk away with a few good more years left in his body and the Seahawks window for a Super Bowl still wide open.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on NFL Live.

Details of the new deal from Pro Football Talk:

"Lynch gets $12 million this year, in the form $7.5 million signing bonus and a $4.5 million fully-guaranteed base salary.In 2016, Lynch (if he plays) will get a base salary of $9 million.  In 2017 (if he plays), it’s a base salary of $7 million in 2017 along with a $3 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year."

Lynch was scheduled to make a base salary of $7 million in 2015 in the final year of a four-year deal. Essentially, he got a $5 million bonus to come back.

He is coming off a 1,306-yard season (his fourth straight season with more than 1,200 yards) and led the NFL in touchdowns for the second straight year with a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns. Further, he added four receiving touchdowns and his 4.66 yards per carry average was the second best in his career.

“Beast Mode” is arguably the most dominant running back in the NFL and has rushed for 5,930 yards and an NFL-high 54 touchdowns since the Seahawks acquired him in a mid-season trade with the Buffalo Bills in 2010.

The Bills acquired 2012 fifth round pick (147th overall, Tank Carder) and 2011 fourth round pick (122nd overall, Chris Hairston) and this already is going down as one of the more lopsided deals in NFL history.

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