Though nothing concrete indicated Marshawn Lynch wouldn't return to the Raiders for next season, some speculated the running back as a potential cut under Jon Gruden given his contract carries no dead money against the cap, among other reasons.
Well, Lynch will be a Raider in 2018, and a telling sign will kick in Sunday. According to NFL Network, Lynch will receive his $1 million roster bonus previously scheduled to come March 18. As his head coach has expressed desire for before, Lynch will be the feature back in Oakland's offense during Year 1 under Gruden.
"Looking at the film in a game that I broadcasted on Christmas night, there's no question he's still a beast," Gruden said at the NFL combine last month. "He's hard to bring down. One of the reason's I'm excited to be with the Raiders is to join forces with Lynch. But, we'll see what happens. Obviously, we have to take a look at the entire roster, but I'm counting on him. I'm counting on him being a big part of our football team."
The Raiders signed veteran running back Doug Martin on Thursday, meaning Oakland's running backs corps currently consists of Lynch, Martin, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Martin figures to be the No. 2 behind Lynch, who is coming off a second half of 2017 that placed him among the most effective running backs in the NFL.
From weeks 9-14, Lynch ran for five touchdowns in five games. Twice he amassed over 100 yards on the season, in Weeks 13 and 17. For the first half of the season, Lynch was largely ineffective, then he earned a one-game suspension after charging off the sideline and shoving a referee against the Chiefs in Week 7. The veteran turned his whole season around upon his return to the field, potentially altering the outlook on his future in Oakland.
Now, for sure this time, No. 24 will be back in a Raiders uniform, if anyone still had any doubts.
