The Seattle Seahawks announced that they have signed former Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch to a contract for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
This marks the second time that Lynch has come out of retirement, with the first coming after sitting out the 2016 season and then returning to play for his hometown Raiders in 2017 and 2018.
There was some interest in a return to the Raiders for Lynch this past offseason, but the team ultimately decided to draft Josh Jacobs in the first round and made him their workhorse, which turned out to be a good decision.
Seattle became desperate for a running back when starter Chris Carson went down with a season-ending injury in Week 16. That comes on the heels of Rashaad Penny also suffered a season-ending injury a few weeks ago.
Lynch’s best years came as a member of the Seahawks as he was named to four of his five Pro Bowls in his five seasons with the team from 2011-15.
It remains to be seen what the 33-year-old has left in the tank, but in six games for the Raiders last season, Lynch carried the ball 90 times for 376 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He also added 15 receptions for 84 yards before going down with a season-ending groin injury.
His quarterback in Oakland, Derek Carr, is excited to see Lynch back in the NFL, even if it is not with the Raiders, via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle:
“I love Marshawn,” Carr said. “I wish it was with us. I miss that guy. But it’s good to see him back. … I didn’t know he was going to come back and play football, talking to him. But he’s back, and that’s a good thing for football.
“I’m not surprised. People don’t know how hard he’s been working. He’s been working really hard to get ready, just in case. He wasn’t done playing football.”
He will be fresh for a postseason run though as Seattle has already clinched a playoff spot. Lynch is expected to be on the field as early as Week 17 when the Seahawks will host the San Francisco 49ers with the NFC West division crown on the line.
The Raiders have not been eliminated from postseason contention yet. So while it is certainly a long shot, a potential Super Bowl matchup between them and the Seahawks is not out of the question, which would make for outstanding entertainment.
