ALAMEDA, Calif. _ The Raiders' pursuit of retired running back Marshawn Lynch appears to be serious and may be ratcheting up on Wednesday.
Lynch, an Oakland native and former Seahawks and Bills running back, is spending Wednesday at the team's facility in Alameda. Recently retired Colts punter Pat McAfee, who now writes for Barstool Sports, was the first to report the development and a source confirmed the news to the Bay Area News Group.
Lynch is still under contract with the Seahawks after retiring following the 2015 season, so if he's meeting with the Raiders he must be doing so with their permission. Seattle would have to release Lynch or trade him to the Raiders if he were to decide to come out of retirement to suit up for the Silver and Black.
Rumors emerged three weeks ago that the Raiders were trying to lure Lynch out of retirement and multiple reports, plus a source close to Lynch, have confirmed he's considering a comeback. The Raiders are in the market for a power back after letting Latavius Murray walk in free agency and sign with the Vikings. Lynch could pair with second-year backs DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard to form a three-headed backfield behind a stout offensive line.
Raiders coach Jack Del Rio told reporters at last week's NFL meetings that "when it's all said and done, there's a strong likelihood we'll have a guy that can give us some of that power running" the team figures to need to go along with the quicker, shiftier styles of Washington and Richard.
