Players who haven’t even celebrated their 28th birthday don’t usually retire, but you never know with Marshawn Lynch, showing a different, slightly weird side to him this season, which means the Seattle Seahawks have one more thing to worry about this offseason.

But really? Retire? For a guy who loves football so much? Maybe this is just Mike Florio creating something out of nothing which wouldn’t be the first time. But he isn’t the only one circulating these rumors and it seems that this season seemed to cross some sort of line for Lynch. Maybe all the fines, or the increased attention from the media, but there is a chance he doesn’t enjoy football all that much anymore. He didn’t seem to hot and bothered after not getting the ball on the final play in the Super Bowl.

Lynch made threats in the offseason about not showing up to training camp if he doesn’t get an extension. With one year left on his deal worth $8.5 million including bonuses, making him the 5th highest paid running back in the NFL. Lynch wanted the Seahawks to extend him by now, but running backs aren’t valued all that highly by NFL teams these days. It’s rare to see a franchise throw everything at a marquee running back in recent years. Adrian Peterson is the exception, but for different reasons, it didn’t work out all that well for the Vikings.

Lynch was probably the best player on this team this season, rushing for 1306 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns, while putting on quite a show in the postseason against the Packers (157 yards) and also the Super Bowl before the decision not to give him the ball on 2nd and goal with one yard between the Seahawks and the endzone. But all options are on the table, including releasing him and allowing Lynch to go somewhere else.

Obviously the Seahawks would like to keep Lynch, but not at all costs. The cheap, young team that won the Super Bowl a year ago is becoming quite expensive when it comes to re-signing everyone. The moment the young stars become highly paid players, it’s difficult keeping everyone together. It’s often easier letting the All-Pro running back go than someone else from the secondary or the defensive line. That’s just how things work these days in the NFL.

Image: Source