NFL insiders reported that Marshawn Lynch's back problems could affect his return as the running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
According to sources who are close to the athlete, it is possible that Lynch's health condition could impact his decision regarding his retirement from professional football, NFL reported.
The back problem that the running back is currently dealing with is a compressed cartilage. This condition was the result of Lynch's aggressive running style.
Lynch's issues with his back have been bothering him since the previous season. In November of last year, during the Seahawks' game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he decided to remain in the sideline during halftime even though his teammates had already gone inside the locker room.
Due to the cold weather at that time, Lynch was worried that if he goes inside locker room, the sudden change in temperature would cause his back to tighten up and prevent him from playing the rest of the game.
Despite his condition, Ian Rapoport, a media insider for the NFL said that the Seahawks is willing to shell out a generous offer to retain Lynch for the 2015 NFL season. The insider said the new deal between the team and its star running back is over $10 million.
Although the Seahawks has reportedly presented a generous offer, there are still rumors that Lynch is mulling retirement. This is according to Michael Robinson, the former Seahawks fullback and team mate of Lynch.
In an interview with 710 ESPN Seattle, Robinson said that the responsibility of being a running back is one of the factors that are driving Lynch to think about leaving his professional football career, according to Deadspin.
"I think he's considering just how much he can put into it," Robinson told the radio program. "It's a grind. I don't think people really understand that."
"Marshawn is just getting into a point in his life where maybe he wants to enjoy other things in life, maybe other things are becoming important to him," he continued.
Despite talking about the possibility of Lynch retiring, Robinson noted that everything could change during the offseason. This means Lynch's physical condition could improve and he might decide to remain with the Seahawks, ESPN reported.