Here’s what happened in the NFL on a news-packed Thursday.
Thursday was an eventful day in the NFL, with an unfortunate loss starting the day and a whirlwind of rumors to end it.
One of the biggest storylines of the NFL offseason so far has been the slow-burning return of Marshawn Lynch to the league after a one-year absence. The Seahawks running back has been rumored to be headed to his (soon-to-be former) hometown Raiders for next season as the team begins a transition to Las Vegas.
The rumor started to gain ground on Thursday, with “Beast Mode” sending out tweets saying he was “thankful,” and soon after appearing in a picture tweeted from Raiders backup running back Jalen Richard. The speculation came after an Ian Rapoport report saying the Seahawks and Raiders were working out a possible trade involving the running back, should he return.
Sources: The #Seahawks & #Raiders are expected to work out a trade for Marshawn Lynch to Oakland. It’s contingent on a reworked contract 1st
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2017
In other news, former Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins was signed by the Colts to a $30 million deal. According to a report from Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants originally had a four-year, $28 million offer on the table for Hankins to return to the team, but the lineman was looking for money closer to $15 million a year.
In sad news, Steelers chairman Dan Rooney passed away on Thursday at the age of 84. The Pro Football Hall of Famer had taken over the Steelers from his father, Art, in 1975, and was the president of the team until 2002.
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Rooney was a leading member of the NFL community, and was the reason for an important rule for equality in the NFL. The rule, known as the Rooney Rule, was put together in 2003 and now requires teams to interview at least one minority for any head coaching or football operations jobs.