News & Info/Headlines

As NFL.com put it: "The next stage in Marshawn Lynch's return to the NFL is underway. ...." This after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported he Seahawks and Raiders are expected to work out a trade for the running back, but first Lynch must re-work his contract.

Per Rapoport, Lynch's agents have permission from Seattle to talk to Oakland about adjusting his deal. If a new contract is struck, then the Seahawks and Raiders will discuss trade compensation.

Lynch signed a three-year, $31 million contract in 2015, which would pay approximately $9 million in 2017 if he came out of retirement. The Raiders would want to lower that price tag on the soon-to-be 31-year-old running back.

Last week, Seahawks general manager John Schneider told KIRO-AM that moving Lynch to Oakland would go "in a smooth manner," due to his relationship with Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie.

The Raiders need a power back like Lynch to pair with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington to round out the backfield.

According to Rapoport, before any trade can happen, Lynch must agree to a new contract.

Of course, as Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio pointed out, "If Lynch really wanted to stir things up (and ultimately leave Seattle unfettered), all he needs to do is show up, drop $9 million in cap charges onto a payroll that barely has that much space available, and wait for the team to make the next move."

And the next move would obviously be releasing him rather than being on the hook for his salary.

So Why accept a trade at all, given this reality? Lynch should just show up like Brett Favre did in 2008, and force the Seahawks to pay him $9 million to play for them or to simply move on before it all becomes a major distraction.

Even with the respective general managers having a solid relationship, Flroio points out that if the Raiders could get Lynch without compensation, and if Lynch wanted to go to a team that has its full complement of draft picks, it would be very easy to do this in a manner less smooth than Schnieder discussed.

Also worth noting. ... ESPN's Ed Werder reported earlier this morning, Lynch has begun the process of unretiring. But Rapoport, citing NFL rules, noted that if Lynch is traded, he does not have to file a letter with the league to un-retire. It would be a clean return to play.

While a deal isn't necessarily imminent, we are -- as NFL.com suggests, "One step closer to Beast Mode's return. A few long strides remain in the process."

Stay tuned.