Marshawn Lynch has always been "'bout that action." The Oakland Raiders would like to spur Beast Mode's action to an NFL return by placing a deadline on when they would like to acquire the running back.
"At some point, you'd like to know. Prior to the draft is that point," GM Reggie McKenzie said Friday, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Michael Gehlken.
As Gehlken points out, McKenzie didn't rule out Lynch joining the Raiders down the road, but it's clear the team would like a resolution before next week's draft (April 27-29 in Philadelphia).
McKenzie's timeline backs up what NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week, that the draft is the deadline for a Raiders-Lynch union. Per Rapoport, if Lynch isn't wearing black before the draft and Oakland finds themselves in position to draft a bruising runner in a deep draft at the position, they could close the door on a deal for the veteran.
When Lynch declared his intention to return to the NFL, a marriage with the Raiders seemed a formality, but the business of football has slowed the train. The process doesn't mean Beast Mode has eyes for any team but Oakland.
"Every indication is he is excited to play for the Oakland Raiders," coach Jack Del Rio said Friday.
There are still several hurdles before Lynch joins Oakland. The sides need to agree on new contract terms. Then the Raiders need to make a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to obtain his rights.
Deadlines spur action in the NFL. The Raiders set that deadline for next week. Now it comes down to Lynch being about the action.
