When a report emerged last week that the Seahawks didn’t expect running back Marshawn Lynch to show up for a mandatory minicamp, we were told by a well-placed source in the organization that the Seahawks expected Lynch to be there and that they hadn’t heard anything to the contrary.
On Tuesday, after Lynch reported for the three-day event, another well-placed source in the organization has declared that it was never an issue.
“We expected him to be here and he’s here,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters.
Carroll also painted a picture of a relationship that hardly seems to be fractured.
“I’ve talked to [Lynch] a number of times and everybody at some time or another has been in contact with him,” Carroll said. “He’s made it very easy on us to do that. We have a great relationship, he’s got a great relationship with our club and his teammates and our coaches and all that. We have rested him a lot in the offseason. He takes a big pounding during the year. It takes him a long time to get his body back to where he doesn’t feel the rigors of the season that’s passed. In this case, it’s unique, but he’s a unique player and he has a unique role on our football team. S o we have to do what we have to do to take care of him. You won’t see him get the ball a lot in preseason, we’ll work all the way toward that opening day, see if we can get him right for then and that’s what’s most important.”
Carroll also downplayed the idea that Lynch has asked for a new contract.
“There’s nothing in our conversations about the business side of it that we’ll talk about,” Carroll said. “There’s no reason to.”
Technically, Carroll is correct, because teams can’t negotiate directly with players who are represented by agents. Even though Lynch showed up, there’s reason to believe he wants something from the team for his role in helping the franchise to its first Super Bowl win. For now, though, Lynch doesn’t seem to be inclined to do anything about it.