Pete Carroll and Marshawn Lynch are all smiles at minicamp. (Elaine Thompson / AP)
So much for the dire predictions that running back Marshawn Lynch, dissatisfied with his contract, wouldn’t show up for the Seattle Seahawks’ mandatory three-day minicamp this week.
Not that he was saying much or doing anything because of a sore ankle, but he was present and accounted for when camp opened Tuesday.
“Yeah, it was a big story,” Coach Pete Carroll joked. “We expected him to be here, and he’s here, you know?”
Still, the situation is unresolved as the Super Bowl champs start to prepare for the season. At least Lynch, who has two years remaining on his contract, is present, even if he didn’t practice. From the Seattle Times’ Jerry Brewer:
Of course, Carroll, who resides at the corner of Sunshine and Rainbow, would dismiss it all. But he knows the threat was real. Lynch’s camp leaked news of his discontent last week to get the Seahawks’ attention, and it worked to an extent. It won’t immediately result in a pay raise, but it’s clear that the two sides have had some frank discussions recently. For Lynch, who is known for being wise with his money, the open line of communication was enough for him to ditch the holdout idea and avoid a $70,000 fine.
It seems safe to stop freaking out. Stop lying in the corner in the fetal position. Everything is going to be all right.
We think.
There’s always the Marshawn Lynch Unpredictability Factor. You never know what he’ll do next. But Lynch’s appearance at minicamp indicates how much he wants to be here, and it’s a show of faith that he believes the franchise will do right by him. Instead of resorting to a confrontation, the two sides are engaging in a negotiation, or at least a serious conversation about a negotiation. As long as the Seahawks are open and honest with Lynch, as long as they’re actively seeking a resolution to his contract concerns, they should be able to skirt a major Beast Mode controversy.
After spending most of her career in traditional print sports journalism, Cindy began blogging and tweeting, first as NFL/Redskins editor, and, since August 2010, at The Early Lead. She also is the social media editor for Sports.
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