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Why Marshawn Lynch Isn’t Crazy to Consider Retirement

By Donnie Druin

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The man who ran his way into NFL glory, might have ran himself into the ground.

Recent reports coming from various sources are reporting that Seattle Seahawks ball-carrier Marshawn Lynch has been seriously mulling the possibility of retirement, and has been for quite some time.

The chatter was confirmed by NFL Network Analyst and friend/former teammate of Lynch, Michael Robinson. Robinson, who has spoken with Lynch on multiple occasions, says the possibility of retirement is “very real” for Lynch, in an article from SI.com available here.

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Lynch, who has resided in Seattle for the past four years, has become a staple of the Seahawks offense and a fan favorite across the league. During his tenure as a Seahawk, Lynch has missed just one game, while rushing for over 1,000 yards each season and reaching the end-zone 48 times. To say the team would miss him would be a severe understatement, as Marshawn has established himself as an elite running back in the NFL.

As a star running back for one of the best teams in football, and the possibility of a pretty nice pay-day in front of him, fans are taken back at the thought of Lynch even pondering hanging up the cleats. Arguments are already being made that if “Beast-Mode” does indeed turn his switch to “off” for good, it would be the most shocking retirement since the resigning of Barry Sanders.

Yet, it wouldn’t be so shocking.

The playing style of Marshawn Lynch is one of physicality and toughness, to say the least. Running over linebackers and smashing into heavy defensive lineman will take it’s toll on the human body, and that’s exactly what is happening to Marshawn.

NFL.com staff writer Dan Hanzus reports that Lynch has chronic back issues, issues that are not able to heal.

Close friends to Marshawn say that the back issues will have a “huge” part in Lynch’s decision, and rightfully so. Fans tend to forget that life after football for these players isn’t exactly a walk in the park, especially players that leave the league with chronic injuries such as Marshawn’s. When weighing his options, Lynch has to think in the long-term, and the smart choice does include stopping the physical beating taken week after week before a serious issue occurs.

Times have changed in the NFL. Offenses now favor a more pass-heavy approach when attack defenses, which exposes a sad reality in the modern day sport of football: Running-backs have become interchangeable parts of the offense.As great as Marshawn Lynch is, the Seahawks main focus moving forward will be centering the offense around quarterback Russell Wilson, and will likely be able to find a replacement in free agency or in the draft if Lynch does in fact walk.

Lynch, who would be entering his 9th season in the league in 2015, also turns 29 this April, nearing the dreaded 30 year benchmark. Historically speaking, after a running back hits the age of 30, production slows down rapidly after the wear and tear of carrying the football, making them less valuable to teams across the league when other, younger and healthier options await.

More importantly, why should Lynch stay in a league where he’s forced to listen to reporters he doesn’t like, answer questions with a continuous phrase and shovel out fine money nearly every other week for simply being himself?

Although the sight of seeing Marshawn Lynch retire does sink the hearts of anybody who likes football or just the man in general, serious consideration is needed when addressing the situation in the best interests of Lynch. Surely he will be missed by the vast majority of fans, players, media outlets, etc. However, at the end of the day, it’s all up to Beast-Mode on whether or not he will return to the gridiron in 2015.

Next: Lynch will keep Seahawks on top

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