As we've been speculating recently, Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is indeed on the trading block. For a few days now, Yahoo's Charles Robinson has been teasing the possibility a "Pro Bowl running back" was on the block. Today he named names, citing multiple sources as saying that Lynch was that Pro Bowler. Robinson took it a step further, saying the Bills want a second-round draft choice for "Beast Mode."
The Seattle Seahawks are named in the story as the team that has had "internal discussions" about Lynch. Pete Carrol's team holds the 60th overall selection in next week's draft, and with two first-round selections, they may be willing to part with that pick to improve their backfield, though that's pure speculation. Julius Jones and Justin Forsett are the two backs with significant experience in the Seawhawks' backfield.
Based on trades this off-season, a second-round pick is a steep asking price. Just this past weekend, the Steelers shipped troubled WR Santonio Holmes to the Jets for a fifth-round selection in 2010, and earlier this month New York acquired CB Antonio Cromartie for a 2011 third-rounder.
Reports began emerging Lynch was on the trading block when the back didn't show up to voluntary workouts. Lynch was suspended for the first three games of the 2009 season after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge. He has also had several other problems, including a hit-and-run guilty plea and a rumored theft of $20 from a Buffalo-area woman.
Lynch began his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons before being demoted behind Fred Jackson in 2009. He was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl squad as an alternate. Tip of the hat to Rumbler sgtpppr84 for first breaking the news here.