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Seattle Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch to Return in 2015

By Donnie Druin

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After some heavy debating, Marshawn Lynch will return to the NFL for the 2015 season.

The Seattle Seahawks announced (via Twitter) last Friday night that the five-time Pro Bowl running-back signed a two year extension with the team, ensuring he’ll remain in Seattle through the 2017 season.

According to ESPN.com, Lynch will be making $12 million in 2015, a $5 million raise from the originally scheduled $7 million. Should Lynch continue to play through the 2016 and 2017 seasons, he will make an additional $28 million as well.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs the ball in Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The raise is well deserved, as Lynch has been arguably the best back in the league for the past few years. Since joining Seattle in 2010, Lynch has led the league in rushes, rushing yards, yards after contact and rushing touchdowns.

The question of whether or not “Beast Mode” would return has been lingering in the thoughts of fans, fellow players and experts since the end of the season. With friction between Lynch and the organization mixed with a chronic back problem that can only worsen, many expected Marshawn to hang up the cleats and retire before the 2015 NFL season.

Problems stemmed from the get-go, as Lynch held out in the early stages of the Seahawks 2014 training camp. After quickly getting a deal done, Marshawn was back on the field. Problems only escalated from that point, including performing what was deemed an “obscene gesture” by the NFL. Throughout the season, Lynch made life hard on himself and the media by giving short answers and dodging questions on the podium.

Most notably this happened during the week of the Super Bowl, where he responded with “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” for a five-minute stretch, fulfilling his minimal media obligations as a player.

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

However, with a huge check

in front of him, Lynch will continue

to be a vital part of the success in Seattle’s offense, and none could be happier than head coach Pete Carroll. Perhaps foreshadowing, Carroll shared some insight during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

"“We have been in earnest a great deal of time now negotiating to get Marshawn back with us in every way that we can,” Carroll said via ESPN.com. “It’s been an ongoing, long process and we have had big offers out and we continue to work with that. We are excited about the future.”"

Indeed, shortly after the combine, a deal has been made that will secure the Seahawks as again one of the league’s best rushing attacks. The long term future of Lynch has yet to be determined, however we know one thing for sure: The dominant, skittle devouring, fan favorite will continue his career into next season.

Next: Who are the 30 biggest draft busts in NFL history?

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