The Raiders reportedly want Marshawn Lynch to accept a pay cut to return in 2018.
It might seem like an odd request considering Lynch was arguably the most effective player on the offensive roster last year, but looking the terms of his deal going forward, the request makes a little more sense.
The Raiders paid Lynch just under $3 million in 2017, according to Spotrac.com.
In 2018, Lynch has a $4 million base salary and can earn another $4 million in bonuses and incentives – many of which will be within reach.
Per Spotrac, these are the benchmarks for Lynch’s additional money in 2018:
– Per Game Active Bonus: $46,875 (potential for up to $750,000)
– Workout Bonus: $250,000
– 9 Touchdowns: $250,000
– 400 Rush Yards: $400,000
– 500 Rush Yards: $400,000
– 600 Rush Yards: $400,000
– 800 Rush Yards: $600,000
– 1,000 Rush Yards: $600,000
– Every 100 Yards past 1,000: $250,000
Had Lynch not missed essentially two full games, he might have reached each of those benchmarks (minus each additional 100 yards) in 2017 – and those numbers were achieved in an offense that far too many times ended possessions with a snap to Marquette King.
If Gruden can revive the Raider offense, Lynch’s numbers would figure to benefit.
To keep ‘Beast Mode’ under his current deal, the Raiders risk paying him almost triple the money he received in his first year with the team.
That doesn’t appear to be something the Raiders are interested in doing.
From the perspective of Lynch, he generally outperformed his $3 million deal in 2017, so it’s probably frustrating to hear about a pay cut for his reward – but that’s all too often the way things work in the NFL.
twitter: @raidersbeat
WHY TREAT HIM ANY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PLAYERS BUSINESS IS BUSINESS WE REALLY DON’T NEED HIM IF YOUR GOING TO WASTE MONEY THEM GO WASTE IT ON BELL