The Oakland Raiders made perhaps the biggest splash during the offseason, when they were able to acquire retired running back Marshawn Lynch from the Seattle Seahawks. Lynch now returns to his hometown of Oakland, in order to help guide the Raiders, and his town, towards a Super Bowl championship.
Lynch’s original contract was a two-year, $9 million deal, but has the ability to move up should he reach certain incentives. The 31-year-old will pair up with a dominant offensive line and Pro-Bowl quarterback, as a starting running back that isn’t afraid of physicality.
With Lynch now officially participating in OTAs, head coach Jack Del Rio and his staff gets a first-hand experience with him and the offense. Although Lynch’s contract is already slated for a $4.5 million payout per season, he has a chance to earn an additional $7.5 million during his two-year stint, via ESPN’s Sheil Kapadia:
Marshawn Lynch’s new contract with the Oakland Raiders contains a number of performance-based incentives that could potentially pay him an additional $5.5 million in 2017 and an additional $2 million in 2018.
According to a league source, Lynch has bonuses tied to rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, the Raiders making the playoffs, Lynch making the Pro Bowl, Lynch earning regular-season MVP honors and Lynch earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
When examining his performance-based incentives, Lynch seems slated to earn quite the extra haul. He receives a $400,000 bonus at both the 500 and 600-yard milestones. His incentives then get another boost, with a $600,000 payout at the 800 and 1,000-yard checkmarks. He then would earn an additional $250,000 for every 100 yards he passes after the 1,000-yard mark.
Lynch also has other notary goals, including a $250,000 bonus if he reaches nine rushing touchdowns and an additional $250,000 if he reaches the end zone 12 times. The nine-year veteran would also earn a final $500,000 if the Raiders make the playoffs, he rushes for 1,000 yards and scores 12 touchdowns.
The 2012 All-Pro player can also earn $500,000 if he gets Super Bowl MVP either year, while also getting $250,000 and $500,000 bonus respectively if he is named MVP either season. During the 2018 season, Lynch would earn $250,000 if he surpasses 1,200, 1,400 and 1,600 rushing yards. Finally, Lynch would earn a quarter million if he were selected to the original Pro Bowl ballot either season.
While offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele joked that Lynch’s helmet may stay clean throughout the 2017 season, Lynch certainly won’t back down from any defensive players. With a five-time Pro Bowl running back behind Derek Carr, the Raiders are finalizing one of the most explosive offensives in the NFL.
