Marshawn Lynch, Russell Okung may be playing last year in Seattle
The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks may be watching a few of their star players suit up for their last season in Seattle in 2014.
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ESPN.com’s Terry Blount recently noted that Marshawn Lynch, Russell Okung and Cliff Avril, among others, may be about to begin their final season as members of the Seahawks?
Why?
Money, of course.
Blount reported that both Lynch and Okung are signed through 2015, but they would probably be too expensive to keep in Seattle for any amount of time past that.
Lynch would count $9 million against Seattle’s salary cap and Okung would count $7.3 million against the cap in 2015.
If the two were to leave the Evergreen State, Lynch’s replacement would likely be Christine Michael, who has flashed glimpses of brilliance in the backfield when given the chance. Okung would probably be replaced by Alvin Bailey or Justin Britt, respectively.
Blount also reported that Avril is making “$7 million this year and counts $9.2 million against the cap,” so making him a cap casualty (along with the other two) could help Seattle give Russell Wilson a big-time contract.
Of course, at this point this is all speculation, so it is very possible that a few of the big-name players renegotiate their contracts to stay in Seattle.
However, don’t be surprised to see a number of players walk.
The Seahawks have $82 million of guaranteed money invested in Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, and who knows what kind of contract Wilson will receive.
Luckily, the Seahawks are fairly deep at most of their positions, so if some of today’s star players leave, tomorrow’s future starters should fill in nicely.