Marshawn Lynch A No-Show At Seahawks Training Camp

Marshawn Lynch was a no-show at Seahawks training camp Friday, proving that the running back was serious about holding out for a new, more expensive contract. Lynch’s absence was expected, since former teammate Michael Robinson broke the news on NFL Network’s Inside Training Camp Live.

Robinson revealed on the show, “Marshawn Lynch just called me, we just talked. He said he will be holding out from training camp this year with the Seahawks.”

Lynch is in his third year of a four-year, $30 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks and is scheduled to earn $5.5 million this year. He faces a rolling $30,000 fine for every day he sits out of training camp.

For their part, the Super Bowl XLVIII team showed no signs of giving in to Lynch’s desire for a new contract. USA Today spoke with head coach Pete Carroll after the first day of training camp was over, saying, “It’s a contract for a reason. We made a decision and it was signed, by us and by them. We expect them to honor their contract just as we will. We’re going to honor it and we expect them to do the same.”

Carroll’s tough stance could spell trouble for Marshawn Lynch, since the holdout hurts him financially and hurts both parties when it comes to practice time and trying to repeat the magic they had last season. Carroll noted, “We’ve had a big plan for a long time working here, and Marshawn is a huge part of that plan, and we made a huge commitment to him a couple years ago. He remains a big part of that plan — if he’ll show up.”

Marshawn’s current contract is in the top six for NFL running backs, though it has been surpassed on his own team by Earl Thomas, Percy Harvin, and Richard Sherman. All three contracts rank among the top deals at the players’ respective positions for now. If the Seahawks give in to Lynch’s holdout for a new deal, it’s possible other stars on the team will do the same.

While Lynch holds out, his teammates expressed disappointment that he was not there. Quarterback Russell Wilson stated, “Obviously, we want Marshawn here. He’s a great friend of mine. He’s a guy who works so hard. It’s one of those things where we want him here, for sure.”

Until then, Robert Turbin and Christine Michael are taking turns trying to fill the shoes of Marshawn Lynch.

[Image by Joint Base Lewis McChord]