Should the Dallas Cowboys kick the tires on a Marshawn Lynch deal?
By Tim Kohut
With the Oakland Raiders reportedly getting cold feet in a trade for retired running back Marshawn Lynch, should the Dallas Cowboys swoop in?
The Dallas Cowboys have a luxury at running back that most NFL teams could only dream for– they already have a cornerstone player that will occupy the position for the next decade. But despite having a stud like Ezekiel Elliott in the fold, adding a former Pro-Bowler like Marshawn Lynch to their stable of running backs could still prove to be an intriguing option for the ‘Boys.
It’s no secret that the Cowboys were once rumored to be interested in bringing another veteran running back into the mix. Earlier in the offseason, it was hinted that Dallas was interested in former Vikings running back and native Texan Adrian Peterson. But no deal, or even visit has come to fruition.
While a deal for Peterson could still happen after the draft, what if Cowboys turned their sights onto Lynch, who is two years younger.
While Lynch has, for the most part, only been linked to his native Oakland Raiders, it is now rumored that the Raiders are having second-thoughts about trading for the former Seahawks power-back. Since the market for Lynch appears to be minimal and it’s unlikely the Seahawks would fetch much for 30-year old running back, this could feasibly open the door for a team like the Cowboys to swoop in.
Although they already have veteran running backs in Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris on the roster, McFadden has an extensive history of injuries, and Morris hasn’t been the same player that rushed for 1,613 yards as a rookie with the Washington Redskins.
With questions surrounding Elliott’s maturity, or lack thereof, it would serve the Cowboys well to have a veteran presence in the backfield to mentor the young superstar. Lynch faced maturity issues earlier in his own career, so he could be the perfect guy to step into that role for Zeke.
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And after sitting out the past season, a reserve role with a contender would probably be the best for Beast-Mode as he gets reacclimated with the rigors of a 16-game NFL season. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Lynch would forgo retirement for a backup role with a team. If he does, it could just be the perfect fit for both parties.