Marshawn Lynch cited “unfinished business” when he returned to the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. His goal is to once again lead Seattle to a Super Bowl appearance, likely hoping to avenge the team’s heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl XLIX.
However, Lynch also has an opportunity to pad his already stellar case for the Hall of Fame, and while that’s not his top priority, it is worth exploring with his expected return to the field on Sunday.
Lynch had a strong case long before this reunion, which now pushes his eligibility back to 2025.
Currently, Beast Mode is 29th all-time in rushing with 10,379 yards. 17 running backs, including Gale Sayers and Terrell Davis, have fewer yards than Lynch and are in the Hall.
If Lynch is able to rush for 81 yards on Sunday (which, frankly, would be challenging) he would pass both Eddie George and Tiki Barber to move into 27th all time, just behind Thomas Jones.
Rushing yards aren’t the only thing that matters to Hall voters, but Lynch’s persona, playoff heroics and other intangibles make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame, and a late-career rejuvenation and playoff run would all but seal the deal for Beast Mode.
