Marshawn Lynch rumors: Raiders could back off deal

Despite reports a week ago signifying a looming deal between the Oakland Raiders and running back Marshawn Lynch, the Raiders won’t be deterred if a deal isn’t struck.

Albert Breer of the Pro Football Talk team reported Thursday morning that the Raiders are willing to move on from Marshawn Lynch if things don’t go well.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but rather serve as a reminder that the Raiders aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. A week ago, it seemed as if a deal would be reached, but negotiations haven’t amounted to anything, yet

A deep draft class filled with potential franchise running backs gives the Raiders a fallback plan if a deal isn’t reached with Lynch. Though, ideally, the Raiders would like to have Lynch at tailback in the Coliseum for 2017. If nothing else, the Oakland native would give owner Mark Davis some cover after announcing the team will be moving to Las Vegas later this decade.

Quarterback Derek Carr expressed his thoughts on the matter.

"“I think it would be awesome just to have him around,” Carr said per the NFL Network.” He’s a great teammate from everyone that I’ve talked to from the couple of Seahawks that we’ve had on our team. They love him.”"

Lynch, 31, has the potential be a great addition to a team trying to win a Super Bowl for the first time since 1983. Oakland is coming off a season in which it went 12-4 and earned a Wild Card berth. With that being said, talent at running back can be found in later rounds.

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Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie harvested two lesser-known backs in DeAndre Washington (fifth round) and Jalen Richard (undrafted free agent) last offseason so there’s concern if the Raiders don’t land Lynch.