I'm glad someone brought this up as a legitimate question in a legitimate thread as this was something I've been on the fence about since yesterday (thanks to Rainger).
What If Lynch Does Retire?
Does he forfeit the rest of remaining $13 Million of his Contract? If that is the case your looking at the Seahawks adding $5.5 to their Cap for 2014, an amount that will roll over into next year on top of another $7.5 million that would be freed off the books. That could turn into Wilson's, Wagner's, and possibly Cliff Avril extensions.
Then the question becomes can the Seahawks overcome Lynch's retirement. And these are my 5 thoughts to answer.
1. Robert Turbin, I had my gripes about him in the past but if he's found the ability to balance in and out of his breaks the guy can be be a solid starter in this league. He does all the little things and one thing he improved on last year was becoming a more violent downhill runner.
2. Christine Michael, as explosive of a running back you'll find in the NFL. But he needs experience to strengthen his all around game, especially in Cable's ZBS, and that starts with getting actual reps that matter. Also, while Michael has the athleticism to run around defenders, he also has the power to run through them as well.
3. Spencer Ware, with Lynch on the team, Ware is pretty much an after thought. Without Lynch, Ware becomes valuable as Ware is more or less a poor man's Lynch bringing to the table an ability to break tackles and pick up yards after contact as a big, physical, violent down-hill RB.
None of these RBs are Marshawn Lynch but together they form a three headed monster, all with different styles and complementing abilities opponents will have to game plan for.
4. Percy Harvin, there's no doubt in my mind that the Seahawks would eventually transition into Harvin being more or less the focal point of the offense. It doesn't mean he's going to get an insane amount of touches but definitely a player that would be used in a variety of ways to exploit opposing defenses. The Jet Sweep is a dangerous play and all of a sudden screens passes seem unstoppable.
5. Russell Wilson, no one has an opportunity as big as Russell Wilson in the absence of Lynch. Which will be a great chance to take full control of the offense and a chance to possibly open up the passing game. Not a dramatic increase but like a 50-75 increase in Pass Attempts. It also give the Seahawks a great chance to evaluate him in that sense of what he can do with an increased threshhold before they sign him to $120+ millions of dollars.
With that said hopefully Lynch gets his butt into camp, sooner rather than later or not at all.