The Raiders are reportedly 'strongly considering' Marshawn Lynch as their new running back

Legendary Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch may have retiredfrom football before the start of last season, butdon't expect that to stop his hometown Oakland Raiders from going after him this offseason.A new report from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson on Friday said that the Raiders are "strongly considering" trying to bring Lynch out of retirement, either through a trade or a release.Although Lynch, 30, did not play a single down last year, the Seahawks still own his NFL rights. As such, in order for the Raiders to actually acquire him (if Lynch agrees, and that's a big if), they'd need the Seahawks to sign off. As ESPNnoted,Seattle's general manager, John Schneider, and Oakland's GM, Reggie McKenzie, worked together in the Packers' front office, which could help the negotiations move forward."It could really happen," one source told ESPN on Friday.Earlier this week, free agent running back Latavius Murray opted to sign with the Minnesota Vikings rather than return to the Raiders. That creates a big void in the backfield for the Raiders, who went 12-4 last season and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2002.Along with Lynch, another running back that has been linked to the Raidersis Adrian Peterson. When the Vikings signed Murray, they announced the Peterson would not return.Of course, Lynch's return to the NFL all hinges on whether or not he wants to. And there have been no reports on which direction he is leaning. That said, one thing is certain: the NFL is a whole lot more fun when Beast Mode is playing.SEE ALSO:The son of basketball's most legendary underhanded free-throw shooter is copying his dad's form at the NCAA tournamentJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: How Michael Jordan ' the highest-paid athlete of all time ' makes and spends his $1.1 billion
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