Seahawks’ Bennett says teammates get both sides of Lynch situation

By Michael Cohodes Payant
Special to 710Sports.com

In the early days of Seahawks training camp, the goal has been to keep the focus on the field as the team starts its season as defending Super Bowl champs. This doesn’t mean Seattle’s players aren’t aware of the notable absence of one of the team’s biggest stars, running back Marshawn Lynch.

Lynch has two years remaining on his current contract but has yet to show up to camp and it is unclear when he may return to the team. Defensive end Michael Bennett told 710ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” on Tuesday that Lynch’s teammates hope for his return but recognize the situation.

“I think everybody’s given him a call, they want to see him come back,” Bennett said. “You want to be on Marshawn’s side because he’s a player, but we understand.”

Bennett himself is no stranger to the uncertainty surrounding contract issues, having gone down to the wire about whether to return to Seattle or join the Bears this offseason. Bennett ultimately signed a four-year, $28.5 million deal to stay in Seattle, but recalls the anxiety he felt while his future still remained up in the air.

“It was so stressful, just having to sit there and have all this stuff on the table,” Bennett said. “You have to make a million-dollar decision. And it’s hard to do, but I had a good team to come back to so I was lucky.”

Bennett and his Seahawks teammates will continue to go about their business, and have confidence the Lynch situation will work itself out.

“Everybody understands his side of the story and you understand the Seahawks side of the story,” Bennett said. “We understand what he’s going through and what he has to deal with and what he’s trying to do.”