Marshawn Lynch is putting to rest any lingering speculation about a possible return to the NFL in an interview with “60 Minutes Sports.”
In the interview that is to air today, Lynch says, “I’m retired. Is that good enough? Which camera do you want me to look into? This one? I’m done. I’m not playing football anymore.”
There’s been speculation throughout the offseason that Lynch was having second thoughts about his decision to retire, which he announced in a post on social media during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. The Seahawks placed Lynch on the reserve/retired list in May, meaning the team would retain his rights if Lynch decided to return.
The move by Seattle was a procedural step, but it was necessary to make Lynch’s retirement official.
Yet the whispers lingered that Lynch wasn’t ready to end his playing career, especially with his hometown team, the Oakland Raiders, in need of a veteran running back.
Lynch was asked directly about the Raiders in the interview.
“No, I’m done. I’m done. I enjoyed my time playing and now it’s time to watch my cousins do their thing,” Lynch said.
Lynch stole attention from the Super Bowl in February when he posted a picture on Twitter with a pair of green football cleats hanging from a wire. His agent confirmed a day later that Lynch intended to retire.
Seattle made a series of moves this offseason that indicated the running back who led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title was ready to step away, including picking three running backs in the NFL draft: C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins and Zac Brooks.
Lynch would have counted $11.5 million against the salary cap if he had remained on Seattle’s roster for 2016. The Seahawks will save $6.5 million with Lynch’s retirement.
Lynch has spent the offseason promoting his clothing line, traveling to Egypt to participant in a football camp, and doing relief work in Haiti. Basically doing everything but getting ready for the upcoming NFL season.
In the interview, Lynch’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, acknowledges a return to Oakland would make sense and possibly help cement Lynch’s case for the Hall of Fame. “But the reality is he told me he is done,” Hendrickson said.
Lynch played nine seasons in the league. Six of those came in Seattle, where he played in the postseason five times. He’s second all-time in Seattle history for rushing touchdowns and fourth in yards rushing. He tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014 and is No. 8 all-time in total yards rushing during the postseason.
