NFL News: Raiders Interested in Marshawn Lynch, Jets Sign Morris Claiborne, And More

The Oakland Raiders are reportedly interested in signing retired running back Marshawn Lynch, a source informed of the team’s interest told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Raiders Interested in Marshawn Lynch, Jets Sign Morris Claiborne

Lynch, who will be 31 next month, was known as “Beast Mode,” and was one of the top running backs in the NFL.

He was selected as a first-round pick (No. 12) out of California in 2007 by the Buffalo Bills, with whom he spent three seasons. He then played six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and announced his retirement during Super Bowl 50.

In his last full season back in 2014, Lynch carried the ball 280 times for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns. In his last game on Jan. 17, 2016— a playoff matchup against the Carolina Panthers—he carried the ball six times for 20 yards.

Weeks after he announced his retirement during Super Bowl 50 by tweeting a picture of his cleats hanging on a wire, Lynch shut down rumors suggesting that picture was merely implying he would only temporarily step away from football. Lynch made clear in an exclusive interview that his retirement was permanent.

The Raiders let one of their own running backs, 27-year-old Latavius Murray, become a free agent, and Murray was then quickly signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Following this revelation, veteran Adrian Peterson said he would not be returning to play for the Vikings. Murray said in an Instagram post on Thursday that he had no intention whatsoever of replacing Peterson, because he called Peterson “irreplaceable.”

In other NFL news, the New York Jets announced Friday they are signing former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne as a replacement for Darrelle Revis, who was released two weeks ago following an altercation that saw him receive five charges. All of Revis’ charges were ultimately dropped. Claiborne joins the Jets on a one-year deal worth more than $5 million, Rapoport reported, via a source informed of the situation.

The 27-year-old Claiborne is coming off perhaps his strongest NFL season since being drafted sixth overall out of LSU in 2012. The cornerback played just seven games before going down with a severe groin injury that sidelined him until the playoffs. He has played more than 11 games just once in five NFL seasons.

Claiborne was ranked No. 44 overall in Around The NFL’s list of the Top 101 free agents.

SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena