Could Marshawn Lynch be heading home in 2016?

Nov 15, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is pursued by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) during a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks have been about as mediocre as mediocre gets this year with a high payroll. They’re paying to keep their defense together and you know they had to lock quarterback Russell Wilson down. But after they gave running back Marshawn Lynch his well-deserved contract and traded for Jimmy Graham, the cupboard is bare.

The offensive line is not too good these days because that’s the area the Seahawks aren’t spending money on. With that being the case, Lynch is getting broke off (injured) and not able to perform at the level his contract warrants. Wilson can’t perform to his usual standards either as he runs for his life every time he drops back to pass.

So what’s the next move after the Seahawks, barring a great turnaround, don’t make the playoffs?

They’re going to keep the defense and the quarterback so will they sacrifice Lynch and the $11.5 million he’s owed next year. The NFL is already trying to devalue the running back position and the offensive line has to be address. But Lynch, to some extent, brought some of the value back to his position, leading to back to back Super Bowl runs.

Then again, he’s averaging 3.8 yards per carry this year, his lowest mark since he became “Beast Mode” a few years ago. He’s also carried the ball 1,181 times over the past four seasons to lead all NFL running backs too. They say the 2,000 carry mark is when great running backs start to break down.

So is that what’s happening to Lynch or is he a victim of his own contract, not allowing more money to go to his offensive line?

There has been talk lately about the Seahawks possibly letting Lynch go if they don’t make the playoffs. That could be a decision they regret as he has become the heartbeat of that team and city. He can also returns to “Beast Mode” form as Chris Johnson has with a good offense around him in Arizona.

Johnson is currently second in the league in rushing yards, behind only Adrian Peterson. Lynch has improvement over the past three weeks and the $11.5 million is worth  a healthy Lynch. But if the Seahawks opt not to keep him, his home town, Oakland California, would welcome him home and have a good situation for him.

The Seahawks better keep him!

The NFL isn’t ready for “Beast Mode” in Silver and Black!