Opinions vary on Marshawn Lynch's long-term contract

[travisduncan]

I will save you from a skittle pun or word play concerning Marshawn Lynch's long-term contract, which the running back and the Seahawks came to an agreement to on Sunday, but I will invoke a Shaun Alexander reference.

The Seahawks brass at the time gave Alexander a contract worth $62 million for eight years, $15.1 million guaranteed in 2006. By 2008 Alexander was no longer a Seahawk. But his 2005 season, in which he rushed for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns, prompted the big pay day.

The Seahawks never actually paid Alexander all of the $62 million but eventually did pay him while he was no longer on the team, and took a cap hit.

Marshawn Lynch is 25 (26 in April) and Shaun Alexander was 30 when he signed that contract.

Lynch is coming off his best season as a Seahawk (and as a pro for that matter) totaling 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those numbers probably could have been even higher but as we know it took about half a season for the offensive line to create space for Lynch.

A few of the selected opinions on the Marshawn Lynch contract:

Thomas Glover of FootballOutsiders.com tweeted"Breaking: Marshawn Lynch arrested for theft. $18 million guaranteed, srsly?"

The parody @NotSportsCenter Twitter feed posted, "JUST IN: Marshawn Lynchis early clubhouse leader for "most likely to be 2012's version of 2011 Chris Johnson"

Albert Breer of the NFL Network had a more neutral take "Lynch deal worth $31 million over four years, $18 million guaranteed. Not bad" He followed up with "Lynch has low-mileage, though, and he's still 25. I think it's reasonable for both sides."

Mike Sando of ESPN.com writes, "Not that fans should care too much about the details. Lynch and his punishing running style are returning for another season and beyond. That is great news for the team. It also frees the Seahawks to use the franchise tag on another player, although there are no indications the team plans to go that route."
Despite the critics, the Seahawks inevitably were going to pay Lynch big time money, leaving the running back position void of Lynch was never an option.

They could have used the franchise tag ($7 million) for a one-year contract facing the dilemma one year from now-and possibly having an unhappy Marshawn Lynch to contend with.

So logically giving Lynch a long-term contract seems almost inevitable.

And $7 million per season isn't a bad price for a what most would consider Seattle's only superstar. The number that will get some people is that Lynch gets $18 million guaranteed.

The critics say that is simply a reward for what Lynch did in the second half of 2011 than what he can do in the future. He made head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider look a heck of a lot better than they could have if the Seahawks went 5-11. Lynch gave Seattle a bona fide NFL superstar again, a player to be proud of. He also brought excitement to one of the league's least interesting offenses.

So for argument's sake let's say Lynch is as effective or nearly effective in two of the next four years. The Seahawks eat roughly $9 million in guaranteed and take a cap hit for two years. Worth the risk? Yes, because Lynch fits everything the Seahawks are trying to do on offense in the Tarvaris Jackson era, (i.e. playing not to lose games). Plus when you have a superstar, it sells tickets, and merchandise and in this case, even Skittles.

As Michael Scott would say, this looks like a win, win, win, despite the inherit risk. http://www.nbc.com/the-office/video/conflict-resolution/116196