On Friday, retired NFL running back Marshawn Lynch turned 30. But there’s still one curious glitch regarding Lynch’s retirement. He still hasn’t officially retired.
Unofficially, Lynch announced his retirement during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50. The Seahawks officially acknowledged the move. But the Seahawks have yet to make the official roster move that goes along with a player retiring.
While Lynch doesn’t show up on the team’s online roster, he has not been placed on the reserve-retired list. That can’t happen until Lynch files his retirement papers.
It’s possible that Lynch is delaying retirement intentionally, hopeful that the Seahawks eventually will release him, so that he can sign with another team whenever he wants: During training camp, at the outset of the regular season, during the regular season, or prior to/during a playoff run.
Regardless of the reason, both the team and Lynch’s camp aren’t saying anything about the situation. Which possibly says plenty.
For now, the only reasonable thing to say is this: There’s still a chance Lynch will play in 2016, and a very real chance that will happen with another team. Perhaps it will be his hometown team, the one that still plays in Oakland.