ESPN is reporting that the Seahawks plan to franchise tag Marshawn Lynch by Monday:
The Seattle Seahawks will place their franchise tag on running back Marshawn Lynch if the two sides cannot agree to a long-term contract by Monday, a team source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
This information, if true, isn't exactly news, nor is it surprising. Seahawks GM John Schneider alluded to this fact during his media time at the Combine, essentially saying that Lynch would be with the team 'one way or another' next season, and echoed what Pete Carroll has been saying since the end of the season. "Beastmode" is the heart and soul of this current team's offense, and was a big part of their identity in 2011. He's a good locker room presence as well, is well-liked by his teammates, and is a fan favorite.
Further, the Seahawks don't have a real replacement for him on the roster, which makes getting a deal done more important. If they can't agree on something by Monday, it means the Hawks will likely need to re-assess their priorities and draft or sign an eventual successor to Lynch this year or next, whose chances for a long-term deal diminish with age.
Then, there's this:
From numbers I've heard certain sources toss around, it seems a fair deal for Lynch is on the table. Nothing confirmed, but next move is his
— Liz Mathews 710 ESPN (@Liz_Mathews) March 2, 2012
We'll see, hopefully this weekend, if Lynch and the Seahawks can agree on a number.
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