RENTON, Wash. -- When training camp opens Friday morning for the Seattle Seahawks, everyone will look to see whether running back Marshawn Lynch is there.
Lynch has told friends and representatives he plans to hold out, but you never can tell for sure what the talented and unpredictable running back will do.
Lynch wants to renegotiate his contract. He attended minicamp last month (but did not participate because of a sore ankle) believing team officials would negotiate in good faith. That remains an unknown, but the retirement of receiver Sidney Rice freed up $1.25 million that the Seahawks didn’t have available three days ago.
They could use that money to try to satisfy Lynch's desire for more money up front this season. He will make $5 million in base salary this season and $5.5 million in 2015, assuming the team keeps him. The uncertainty of what happens in 2015 is why Lynch wants more money this season.
If Lynch doesn’t get a change in his contract, will he hold out, and how long will he do so, knowing it will cost him $30,000 a day in fines? And if he's on the field, will it affect his attitude and how he performs this season? Lynch still hasn’t spoken about the subject.
If Lynch doesn't show, it will become a distraction no one wanted with the Seahawks beginning their quest of winning back-to-back Super Bowls.
