NFL Rumors: Marshawn Lynch expected to holdout?

After winning the Super Bowl, leading the team in rushing, and eclipsing the 1,200 yard mark on the ground for the third straight season, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch may be looking for a pay raise.

According to Yahoo Sports writer Rand Getlin, the Seahawks don’t expect Lynch to show up for the mandatory mini-camp at the start of next week.

"Lynch, who skipped the team’s visit to the White House in May, and reportedly hasn’t appeared at any of the team’s voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) thus far, is thought to be unhappy with his contract, though it’s not clear if that is the only football-related reason the running back is considering skipping or reporting late to minicamp.Entering the third year of a four-year deal the running back signed with the Seahawks in 2012, Lynch is set to earn a base salary of $5 million this year and $5.5 million next."

As stated, Lynch is set to make just $5 million this season and only a slight pay raise next season. Considering other star running backs like LeSean McCoy ($7.6 million), Adrian Peterson ($11.7 million), and Matt Forte ($5.9 million) are on bigger contracts than Lynch, his hesitance to continue on his current contract is understandable.

At 28 years old, Lynch is nearing the 30-year old plateau that leads to the downfall of many running back’s careers. The benchmark is one that certainly Lynch has in mind, as well as his recent production, when thinking about holding out for a new contract.