Marshawn Lynch's Former Teammate Says Beast Mode Is Not Coming Back to the NFL

Lynch is reportedly up in the air about returning to the NFL.

Joe Nicholson
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

Joe Nicholson

UPDATED 9/9/16, 12:50 p.m.:

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you were praying for Marshawn Lynch to make a return to the NFL this season, it sounds like your prayers have gone unanswered. After a report started circulating about the possibility of Beast Mode making a comeback after retiring from the NFL in early 2016, his former Seahawks teammate Michael Robinson—who now works for the NFL Network—used Periscope to shoot down the rumors early Friday. He said he's spoken to Lynch directly and been told that he is not returning to play pro football.

"I called Beast Mode," Robinson said. "Record this, everybody, please. Marshawn Lynch is retired. He told me from his own mouth. He said, 'Dude, I’m not going anywhere. I’m as busy as I’ve ever been.' He’s in Africa, he’s in Australia, he’s all over this world helping people."

So much for that.

See original story.

This offseason, Marshawn Lynch has said over and over again that he is officially retired. While his agent has said he'd never 100 percent rule out a comeback, Lynch told 60 Minutes Sports, “I’m retired. Is that good enough? Which camera do you want me to look into? I’m done. I’m not playing football anymore.”

Clearly, Lynch was fed up with people not believing him. And just when it seemed like people had finally come to grips with the fact that Beast Mode had retired, consider the pot stirred again. 

Lynch is reportedly "up in the air" about a possible return to the NFL this season, according to Pro Football Talk. Lynch is reportedly considering Week Four or Week Five as potential hot spots for a comeback. There has also been speculation that he would try to sign with a contender for a late-season run.

The Seahawks still hold the rights to the 30-year-old running back. If Lynch files paperwork with the league to un-retire (he filed retirement paperwork in May), the Seahawks could either keep him on their roster, cut him, or trade him (if he returns before the trade deadline).

Seattle drafted three running backs this year and, with Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls at the top of the RB depth chart, the Seahawks seem all set at that position. So don't be surprised if Beast Mode ends up on another team if he decides to return this year. Certainly, we'll keep a close eye on this story.

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