NFL rumors: Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch a package deal?

Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch have been newsmakers on their own, but they may want to play elsewhere together again.

From constant trade speculation surrounding one, and the question of whether he’ll come out of retirement surrounding the other, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch have filled the news in recent weeks. Sherman may or may not be trying to force his way out of Seattle, while Lynch most recently has tried to leverage another team against the Raiders for his looming return.

Lynch has reportedly started the reinstatement process, which will put his $9 million salary for 2017 back on the Seahawks’ books. So a release is all but certain once Lynch is formally an active player again, with Seattle carrying just $9.8 million in salary cap space right now (via the NFLPA). Over The Cap.com has the Seahawks with even less cap space, so they are not keeping Lynch.

Trading Sherman is another matter though, even with the Seahawks’ asking price apparently dropping as the draft approaches. There’s less pressure for a deal involving Sherman, barring a The Godfather-esque “offer they can’t refuse,” but Lynch and Sherman may be trying to play together again on another team.

There are a few teams that could use a running back and a top-level cornerback. It’s hard to see the Patriots as a fit, despite rumors attaching them to both Sherman and Lynch on some level, so the Packers and Raiders go to the head of that line. The Saints could be a dark horse, but they don’t have the cap space to take on Sherman’s contract and sign Lynch.

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The Packers are notably conservative, so Lynch and Sherman probably present a one or the other proposition if it’s even on their radar. One team has the needs and the cap space to make a package deal happen with Sherman and Lynch. The Raiders. Convenient, huh?