Marshawn Lynch will not be in attendance when the Seattle Seahawks open training camp.
Former Seahawks teammate Michael Robinson broke the news on Thursday's edition of NFL Network's Inside Training Camp Live.
"Marshawn Lynch just called me, we just talked," Robinson said. "He said he will be holding out from training camp this year with the Seahawks."
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Seahawkslearned in the last few days that Lynch would hold out, per a source familiar with the organization's thinking. After learning of Lynch's declaration, they still don't plan on paying him, Rapoport reported.
Lynch reported to Seattle's mandatory minicamp, but is looking for a raise after another standout season with the Seahawks. The team recently handed out new contracts to cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas.
Lynch faces a rolling $30,000 fine for every day he sits out.
Lynch signed a four-year, $30 million deal with the Seahawks in 2012 and is scheduled to earn $5.5 million in 2014. Perhaps not coincidentally, we learn of Lynch's plans only one day after the Kansas City Chiefs responded to a Jamaal Charles holdout threat by handing out a contract extension.
They are different cases, however. Charles is a younger, more dynamic player and could legitimately say he was the lynchpin of his offense. Lynch simply doesn't have the same leverage, and the Seahawks have a younger and cheaper alternative standing by in Christine Michael.
The Seahawks could play hardball here. Then what?
The latest "Around The League Podcast" offers up team-by-team training camp previews of the NFC East and NFC West.
