Raiders make decision on Marshawn Lynch after signing new running back
After taking a year off, Marshawn Lynch returned to the NFL in 2017 with a new team, the Raiders, but without the dominance he showed with his old team, the Seahawks.
Lynch had his moments during Oakland’s disappointing 6-10 season, but he failed to match the success he had with Seattle, where he had four straight 1,000-plus yard seasons from 2011 through 2014.
Last year, “Beast Mode” had 891 yards on 4.3 yards per carry in 15 starts. He reached the end zone seven times.
While he signed a two-year deal with the Raiders, there were questions about whether the team would cut Lynch and his high salary this offseason and move on.
The questions remained after Oakland, under new coach Jon Gruden, signed former All-Pro running back Doug Martin from Tampa Bay last week.
Would Martin be Lynch’s replacement?
No, according to multiple reports.
Yes, Doug Martin is coming to Oakland… but the Raiders have no plans to part ways with Marshawn Lynch. Carry on.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 15, 2018
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Lynch is not only going to play in 2018, he’s going to remain the team’s feature back.
Marshawn Lynch will remain a member of the #Raiders. Sources say he is receiving his $1M roster bonus on March 18, a clear sign he’ll be their feature back… if there was any question.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2018
Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal took it a step further, saying the Raiders plan to “build around Lynch,” who will be 32 in April.
Indeed. Raiders took hard look at position. Weighed options. Chose to build around Lynch for 2018. Intrigue how many RBs kept with Doug Martin added, emphasis on fullback/blocking TEs. https://t.co/bBzvKzV3Ho
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 17, 2018
Gruden himself said the team is “counting on him.”
“Looking at the film and a game that I broadcasted on Christmas night, there’s no question he’s still a beast that’s hard to bring down” Gruden told the NFL Network in February during its coverage of the NFL combine. “One of the reasons I’m excited to be with the Raiders is to join forces with Lynch. But we’ll see what happens. Obviously, we’ve got to take a look at the entire roster. But I’m counting on him. I’m counting on him being a big part of our football team.”
Lynch is certainly not getting any younger, nor are the Raiders. In addition to adding the 29-year-old Martin, Oakland signed wide receiver Jordy Nelson from the Packers; Nelson will be 33 in May.
Martin was an All-Pro in 2015, when he rushed for 1,402 yards. But his productivity plummeted the next two seasons, in part because of injuries: Martin gained a total of 827 yards in 2016 and 2017, with a horrible 2.9 per carry.
With the perennial powerhouse Patriots losing key players and coaches, the AFC is up for grabs, and it looks like the Raiders are in “win now” mode, judging by their offseason moves.
Resurgent safety Marcus Gilchrist, who stood out last year with the #Texans, is visiting the #Raiders today, source said. They continue to try to improve their back end.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2018
Offense probably won’t be a problem for Oakland, but if the Raiders want to have any chance of winning in 2018, they need to improve a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league last year.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
