National Football League

Marshawn Lynch agrees to 2-year extension with Seahawks

Published Mar. 6, 2015 4:34 p.m. ET

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Beast Mode is back.

The Seattle Seahawks and running back Marshawn Lynch agreeed on a new two-year contract extension. FOX Sports 1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo first reported the news before the Seahawks sent out a release announcing the deal.

Garafolo reports that the deal is worth $24 million over the two years, paying him $12 million this coming season. He had originally been slated to make $7 million in 2015.

Lynch's agent Doug Hendrickson told the Associated Press the deal includes an additional $24 million for the 2016 and 2017 seasons should Lynch continue his career into his 30s.

Lynch has been the main cog that drives the Seahawks' offense since his arrival in Seattle back in 2010. He helped lead the team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII.

The five-time Pro Bowl running back scored 17 touchdowns in 2014, while rushing for 1,306 yards. He has topped the 1,000-yard mark in six of his eight professional seasons.

Lynch was also at the center of attention after February's Super Bowl XLIX. The Seahawks lost that one to the Patriots after a controversial goal line play — a pass rather than a handoff to Lynch — led to an interception that sealed the win for New England.

During an interview last week with a television station in Turkey, where Lynch was taking part in an American Football Without Borders camp, Lynch said he was expecting to get the ball on Seattle's final offensive play. He added he didn't have a problem with the play call.

Aside from the decision in the Super Bowl, it became progressively more difficult through last season to imagine the Seahawks without Lynch in their backfield. Lynch rushed for more than 100 yards five times and was the most consistent piece of the Seahawks' offense that has won two straight NFC championships.

He has rushed for at least 1,200 yards in each of his four full seasons with the Seahawks, and had at least 11 touchdowns rushing. In 75 regular-season games with Seattle, Lynch has rushed for 5,930 yards and 54 touchdowns.

With Lynch secured for the 2015 season, running back no longer becomes a major need for Seattle. It eventually will need to find an heir to Lynch, but that position would no longer appear to be a priority.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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