What the Hell is Marshawn Lynch’s Problem?
For over a year now Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has been engaging in an increasingly hostile media freeze out. A confusing, one-sided war that he really upped the ante on over the weekend.
Frustrated by Lynch’s complete unwillingness to routinely engage in mandatory media sessions, early Sunday NBC Sports’ Mike Florio reported the NFL threatened Lynch with a $100,000 fine if he refused to take questions following this week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
It wasn’t the first time the league had issued such a threat. Last season Lynch was hit with a $50,000 fine for refusing to speak at Super Bowl Media Day. Although the fine was ultimately rescinded because he decided to cooperate, engaging in a brief perfunctory session.
Not following through on the first fine probably wasn’t the best way for the NFL to convince Lynch they were serious. His contact with the media has been minimal all season long and after Sunday’s loss the the Chiefs, he was nowhere to be found.
Of course, that’s nothing new. There was, however, somewhere else of far more significance where Lynch was nowhere to be found—the Seahawks locker room at halftime. According to multiple reports, he remained on the field at Arrowhead for the entire 12-minutes.
This all begs the question: what the hell is Marshawn Lynch’s problem anyway?
It’s no secret that Lynch is on the outs in Seattle, but it’s not entirely clear why. His unsuccessful training camp holdout surely has something to do with it, but his grudge against the media obviously dates back well before that mess.
The easy answer is that it’s all about money, with Lynch currently in the third year of a four-year deal that pays him an average of $8 million annually. His relationship with coach Pete Carroll has reportedly deteriorated as a direct result of the holdout.
The problem with saying this is all about money and the holdout is that it isn’t—it can’t be.
Lynch’s outright animosity with the media predates his contract dispute and, given that he’s been one of the most productive backs in the league for four-straight seasons, there has to be a reason the Seahawks were so adamant about not negotiating.
This whole dispute feels far too personal to be strictly financial.
The only thing we know for sure at this point is that Lynch is severely overplaying his hand, especially if it’s mostly about money. He’s going to be 29 next April, an age when most running backs are considered washed up.
Someone needs to ask Lynch what he thinks the going rate on the free agent market is for a 29-year-old running back who doesn’t get along with his coaches, refuses to engage with the media, and uses his middle finger to greet opposing fans on the road.
It’s probably just a smidgen lower than the figure currently floating around in his head.
