Jon Gruden asked to speak with Marshawn Lynch several times but got turned down.
His job title earned an automatic veto. The enigmatic running back doesn't talk to the press, even a Monday Night Football analyst with Gruden's street cred. No production meetings, no insight flowing outside the inner circle.
Lynch must honor the next request. Gruden's his boss, after all.
"I'm anxious to sit down with Marshawn and meet him," the new Raiders head coach said Tuesday during his introductory press conference. "We'll talk about his future and the Raiders. I can't wait. He came back to the Raiders for similar, I think, reasons that I did. I think he loves Oakland. I think he loves the Raiders and guys like him interest me, so I'm looking forward to talking to him."
The veteran running back and Oakland native has a year left on a two-year deal struck last April. The 2018 payouts, per overthecap.com, include a $4 million base salary, a $250,000 workout bonus, a $1 million roster bonus and $750,000 in per-game roster bonuses. There are also significant performance-based incentives.
Marshawn is under contract, but also has some say in this matter. He could post an image of cleats hanging on a telephone wire like he did after the 2016 Super Bowl and call it a career. Lynch made it clear in a rare press conference that he didn't miss football. He returned for the opportunity to play in front of a East Bay community he champions and bring attention to his significant charitable efforts.
There are several possible outcomes from the Gruden/Lynch tete-a-tete. Gruden might not consider him worth the while. Lynch may walk away, for good this time. Or, the two could traverse 2018 together.
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Predicting Marshawn's movements is a fool's errand. We can, however, make an educated pros and cons list. Let's take a look at some factors influencing the ultimate outcome.
PROS
-- The phrase in Gruden's last sentence above may have tipped his hand: "Guys like him interest me." Lynch is an intense presence, one of his generation's most physical runners. Gruden can use on-field talents like him, though it's uncertain whether he's a perfect fit in an offense that has certainly evolved during nine years in the broadcast booth.
Also, Gruden loves Oakland. Lynch loves Oakland. That may be a good starting point.
-- Marshawn still has it. The 31-year old was the Raiders' most productive skill player in 2017's second half. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry over the last season games, totaling 625 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He also had at least 92 yards total offense in five of those contests. When he's motivated and healthy – he didn't miss a single practice with injury – Lynch can be a force on the ground
-- Gruden reportedly hired Tom Cable as offensive line coach a few days back. That's probably a plus from Lynch's perspective. Cable was Seattle offensive line coach, and heavily involved in the running game, during Lynch's best seasons. He ran a system that fit Lynch well, though Gruden said schemes will be based around team strengths. Lynch and Cable reportedly get along well, and could be a major reason why Lynch finds it appetizing to return.
-- Lynch carried locker room clout. Last year's coaching staff didn't love him, but player certainly did.
CONS
-- Lynch comes with some baggage. He's an eccentric sort who does his own thing, at times without regard for small rules. That may rub Gruden and staff the wrong way. It certainly bothered Del Rio's crew, especially when he seemed to have his own set of rules.
The Raiders tolerated Lynch's choice to sit during the national anthem all year, despite being vocal against such actions the year before. He also had a production crew following him around quite often, especially in camp.
He got suspended for sticking up for the other team in Week 7, protecting great friend, Oakland native and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters in an on-field altercation. He then practiced with his old high school during the suspension.
Gruden may not love the prospect of dealing with extra weight, depending on how strict he plans to be during this coaching tenure.
-- Lynch turns 32 in April. While Lynch might be an exception, running backs often fall off a production cliff in their early 30s. Can the Raiders get good value from Lynch at that age, knowing full well another running back might be added to the roster?
-- Lynch may simply not be into another year in Oakland. He enjoyed taking 2016 off, travelling the world and increasing charitable and business endeavors. Is his drive still strong?
