What to do with Bruce Irvin?
Plus Marshawn Lynch "leaning" toward retirement

Beast Mode heading off into the sunset

Big news this weekend is Seahawks general manager John Schnieder claiming that Marshawn Lynch is “leaning towards retirement.” Now he did back off those words at a later interview, but the scenario makes a lot of sense.

Lynch was hobbled this year, looking like a shell of his true potential. And with his preferred aggressive, contact seeking style of play he may never be in shape to return to that style.

What’s more, he carries a huge cap hit at $11.5 million. As is, he really is not worth that kind of money, especially when Thomas Rawls has proven to be more than capable and cost effective.

Should Beast Mode decide to retire in the end, it will be the end of the most fun era of Seahawks football. His teammates all love him, and revere him for his leadership. We’ve seen that the Seahawks can replace his production on the field, but long-term how will they fill the leadership void?

This is pure speculation, but Kam Chancellor’s equity in the locker room may have been sapped a bit after his long holdout, so the Hawks are now down two bonafide leaders. Who will be the de facto head honcho now that Lynch leaves? Russell Wilson? Richard Sherman? Earl Thomas? Whatever the result, I’m sure the Hawks will be fine.

 

What to do with Bruce

It is a very good question, how much is Bruce Irvin worth to the Seahawks? After their loss to Carolina, Irvin came out and said he would take a hometown discount, even offering a figure of three or four million dollars as suitable.

Of course Golden Tate said he would take a “small” hometown discount after the Super Bowl, but ended up signing a lucrative deal with Detroit.

Like many of the Seahawks, his value is hard to quantify in traditional ways. Although a starter, Irvin doesn’t rack up tackles or drop back often in coverage. Rather the Seahawks use his incredible speed to rush the passer, which he has done effectively to the tune of 5.5 sacks this season.

With that in mind, Irvin might be worth only three or four million, if that. Facts are however, he is coming from a highly successful team, and starters of successful teams usually receive inflated offers when the time comes. Offers that may be too tempting, a la Golden Tate’s situation.

Other ting to keep in mind is that most of the Seahawks’ cash is already tied up in their core; Wilson, Sherman, Bobby Wagner and Earl Thomas. With that in mind, Irvin likely isn’t a priority and thus may be deemed surplus.

Twitter: @jschario 

Photo:Flickr/Mike Morris

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