Marshawn Lynch Signs Four-Year Seahawks Deal

Marshawn Lynch is staying in Seattle. The Seahawks’ Skittles-lovin’, gun-totin’ running back has signed a new four-year deal that will ensure he remains at Seattle for what should be the best years of his career.

Lynch, who is coming off his finest NFL season to date (1,204 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns), has agreed a new contract reportedly worth $31 million, including $18 million guaranteed. That’s according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. In a press release, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said:

“We are excited to keep Marshawn as part of what we are building. This is what we were hoping for when we acquired him from Buffalo.”

Lynch’s game really kicked into gear at the end of last season. Over the final nine weeks, the back produced six 100-yard games, and rushed for over 80 in two others. In Week 16, he became the first running back this season to score a rushing touchdown against San Fran, and in the season finale against Arizona, he secured a franchise-record streak of 11 consecutive games with a touchdown.

After signing his deal Sunday, Lynch said:

“The direction that the team is going in, you can continue to see week in guys continuing to get better, following the motto of the program, just competing. You continue to see that.”

Lynch arrived at Seattle during the 2010 season, after he hit off-field difficulties at the Buffalo Bills. That trade quickly looked inspired after the then-24-year-old scored a stunning 67-yard touchdown run in the 2010 playoffs against New Orleans – Lynch rode eight tackles and sparked celebrations in the stadium that registered as seismic activity at a monitoring station 100 yards from the stadium: