Marshawn Lynch's week-long holdout is over, as the team confirmed the hulking running back had reported to the Seattle Seahawks practice facility on Thursday, to end one distraction for the Super Bowl champions.
Lynch was caught by television cameras talking on his phone near the Seahawks' practice fields wearing a lettered hooded sweatshirt with the words "Beast Mode" – his description of his running style.
"Hopefully he's here," quarterback Russell Wilson said after practice. "He's such a good football player, we would love to have him here and he's done a tremendous job for us since I've been here. I know that. He's had some unbelievable runs for us."
Lynch must still pass his physical and be added to the active roster. Seattle’s roster is currently at the 90-man limit.
Lynch, 28, is unhappy with his contract, which is scheduled to pay him up to US$5.5 million (Dh20.2m) this season in base pay and roster bonuses. It is the third year of a four-year deal Lynch signed before the 2012 season, but he wanted the deal revisited and extended, in part because running backs are often expendable after they reach age 30, especially those who have taken as many hits as Lynch.
Pete Carroll, the Seahawks coach, said on the first day of practice that they were not going to tear up Lynch's contract.
“We’ve had a substantial plan working for us for years now and Marshawn was a big part of this plan,” Carroll said. “Just a couple of years back we made a big statement and made a big effort for him and we wish that he was with us now.”
The dispute was building throughout the offseason with Lynch staying away from organized team activities and rumours that he would skip June’s mandatory minicamp in protest of his contract structure.
Lynch showed up for the minicamp in June to avoid a hefty fine. But he finally decided to make a stand with the start of training camp. He could be fined by the team $30,000 per day for each day of camp missed, plus a percentage of his prorated signing bonus.
Lynch has been the workhorse for Seattle since his arrival via trade in 2010. He has 1,066 carries for 4,624 yards and 41 touchdowns in the regular season since joining the Seahawks.
With Lynch away, the Seahawks let Robert Turbin and Christine Michael get the bulk of carries during camp and each has been impressive.
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