MOBILE, Ala. _ Marshawn Lynch will officially become an unrestricted free agent in March, and Jon Gruden still doesn't know if Lynch is healthy enough or even wants to continue playing football.
Lynch turns 33 in late April, and missed the final 10 games of last season with a groin injury that landed him on injured reserve during the Raiders' Week 7 bye.
"I don't know. I don't know. I don't know yet," Gruden said when asked if he expects Lynch to play in the NFL this year. "I think when we get back after the Super Bowl, we'll have a lot better indication on his health and his desires, what he wants to do. I'm sure if he wants to play, somebody like me would love to have him back."
Lynch impressed in his first six games of 2018, running for 376 yards on 90 carries (4.2 yards per rush) and a touchdown in each of his first three games. He also caught 15 passes for 84 yards, and flashed speed and tackle-breaking ability reminiscent of the old Marshawn Lynch.
His two-year contract with the Raiders expires at the start of the new league year in March, as does Doug Martin's one-year deal. Jalen Richard will be a restricted free agent and DeAndre Washington has one year remaining on his contract before hitting unrestricted free agency. The Raiders also have running back Chris Warren, who spent his rookie season on injured reserve after leading the NFL in rushing yards during the preseason.
If Lynch decides to hang up his cleats for a second time in three years, the Raiders have several options for a primary back: re-sign Martin, who ran for 723 yards and four touchdowns but lost three fumbles, entrust Richard, who's more of a threat in the passing game, hope Warren carries last preseason's success into this regular season, or draft a running back and cross their fingers.
Of course there's the aspect of whether Lynch even wants to play, and where the Raiders play home games in 2019 might affect that desire. A message to Lynch's agent, Doug Hendrickson, hadn't been returned as of early Tuesday afternoon. Lynch, an Oakland native, unretired in 2017 to play for his hometown team, and a departure from the Coliseum might jeopardize his interest in playing for the Raiders, or any team for that matter, in 2019.
