Nearly four years after saying goodbye to Seattle with a single, wordless tweet that featured a picture of his cleats hanging from a telephone wire, Marshawn Lynch will lace them back up to play for the Seahawks this weekend.
OK, he probably won't lace up those same cleats seeing as they're four years old and all, but Lynch is indeed returning to football, having signed with the Seahawks, who on Sunday will host the San Francisco 49ers in a game that will determine the NFC West Championship.
When the Seahawks acquired Marshawn Lynch in a trade with Buffalo nine years ago, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, "We bring a guy into the program that we think is going to give us a little boost." Nearly a decade later, the Seahawks are counting on Lynch to again provide a boost following season-ending injuries suffered on Sunday by running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise, who were both placed on injured reserve Tuesday. The Seahawks are also bringing back Robert Turbin, who served as Lynch's backup from 2012-2014.
Before the move was official on Monday, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle that he was "fired up" for a potential reunion with Lynch.
"He has been working really hard, he's really excited about the chance to do something helping out, and I think it's freakin' great if he can get out there and tote the ball for us," Carroll said. "The circumstances rolled just at this time, and he could have four or five games left in him, maybe that's what we need."
Lynch's legacy as a Seattle sports icon was long ago secured thanks to his memorable six-season run with the Seahawks that included a lot of winning, a Super Bowl title and some of the most memorable plays in franchise history, but if he can come in contribute to a playoff run, it will only add to his legend.
"At my age, this is a great opportunity to be able to come in and be able to help when needed, get in and do my little thing and get out, hopefully be able to help them go ahead and get to the Super Bowl that they should be playing for," Lynch said on a video posted Monday night to his Beast Mode Productions YouTube channel. "… I'm going to maximize my opportunity to the fullest."
Asked why he wanted to return to Seattle, Lynch responded, "We've got history there. We've got unfinished business."
During a six-year Seahawks career in which he was a four-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro, Lynch rushed for 1,200 or more yards and double-digit touchdown totals for four straight seasons from 2011 to 2014. But the impact he had on those teams, two of which reached the Super Bowl, went far beyond his production.
Carroll and general manager John Schneider made trading for Lynch a priority in 2010 because they saw him as a player who could help them establish the identity they were looking for in their young team. And Lynch more than delivered, setting the tone year after year with his physical play and his infectious spirit in the locker room.
"There's a lot of history here that's great history," Carroll said on Monday. "There was nobody that ever amplified the kind of mentality and toughness that we like to play with."
When the Seahawks were getting ready to play in a second-straight Super Bowl, then offensive line coach Tom Cable said of Lynch, "He's not carrying the football, he's carrying his team. That's who he is. That's what he does."
Former receiver Doug Baldwin once called Lynch, "The engine. He is the heart and soul of this offense."
A lot has changed since Lynch last played for the Seahawks and was "the heart and soul" of the offense, and it's probably unfair to expect him to jump right in and be the player he was during his previous tenure with the Seahawks. But when Lynch takes the field against the 49ers on Sunday, it will be an electric moment at CenturyLink Field, one the Seahawks hope can help jumpstart another playoff run.
Robert Turbin was a running back and played for the Seahawks from 2012-2015. He was a member of the Seahawks during their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, including winning Super Bowl XLVIII. He went on to play for other teams but ended up back in Seattle for a second stint. Take a look back at some of the best photos and moments from Turbin's career with the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) hugs Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) during the NFL regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Seahawks won the game 19-3. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Seattle Seahawks vs Tennessee Titans; Robert Turbin
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) displays a newspaper that proclaims the Seahawks as World Champions after the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 43-8. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) during the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks won 43-8. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) rushes against the St. Louis Rams in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) runs for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Seattle Seahawks Robert Turbin (22) during an NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 in Atlanta. The Falcons won 30-28. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin (22) leaps over San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Manti Te'o (50) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) hands off to Robert Turbin (22) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Running back Robert Turbin scores the game's only touchdown on a 13-yard pass and run from quarterback Russell Wilson up the left sideline.
Seattle Seahawks running back Robert Turbin runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Seahawks running back Robert Turbin turns the corner to score a touchdown as head coach Pete Carroll celebrates on the sidelines.
Running backs Robert Turbin and Marshawn Lynch stay loose before kickoff.
Turbin, a fourth-round pick in 2012, spent his three seasons in Seattle primarily serving as the No. 2 back behind Lynch and as the team's third-down and two-minute back. After leaving Seattle, Turbin split the 2015 season between Dallas and Cleveland, then spent the past three years with the Indianapolis Colts. Over his seven seasons, Turbin has rushed for 1,354 yards and nine touchdowns on 355 carries, and has 86 receptions for 688 yards and three scores.
The Seahawks also made an addition to their practice squad Tuesday, signing defensive tackle Shakir Soto. Soto came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017 with the Denver Broncos, and has since spent time with the Raiders and Cowboys. The Seahawks had an opening on their practice squad having promoted Bryan Mone to the active roster late last week.
Seahawks Legend Marshawn Lynch -- affectionately known as "Beast Mode," was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and he was a part of the Seahawks during their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, including winning Super Bowl XLVIII. Take a look back at his time in Seattle.
Marshawn Lynch celebrates with teammates after his touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Seahawks a 23-8 lead.
NFL Football: NFC Conference Playoff: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Game Action CenturyLink Field/Seattle, WA, USA 1/19/2014 X157457 TK1 Credit: Rod Mar
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) lines up in position during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes for a gain during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a touchdown in action against the Denver Broncos February 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Seattle defeated Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XKVIII (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, left, and Justin Forsett, right, take the field during introductions prior to an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball during the NFL football NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 23-17 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
So. Beastly. Marshawn Lynch stands tall after his fourth rushing touchdown of the afternoon, this one a 16-yard scamper up the middle to give the Seahawks a 31-17 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) and defensive end Greg Hardy (76) tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, November 1, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys, 13-12. (James D. Smith via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks away to score a touchdown as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck celebrates in the background during the second half of an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle against the New Orleans Saints. The Seahawks won 41-36. Lynch finished with 131 yards on 19 carries, the first Seattle back to top 100 yards all season. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks away from a tackle by the New Orleans Saints defenders to score a touchdown in the second half of an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch pauses before crossing the goal line with his third touchdown of the game.
Marshawn Lynch rumbles free on a 13-yard carry in the fourth quarter as Seattle's offense ate up 11 minutes of the final quarter to seal the victory.
Marshawn Lynch is congratulated by quarterback Russell Wilson after the touchdown.
Running back Marshawn Lynch bangs his way towards the end zone in the fourth quarter.
NFL Football: NFC Conference Playoff: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Game Action CenturyLink Field/Seattle, WA, USA 1/19/2014 X157457 TK1 Credit: Rod Mar
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks out for a touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore (25) during an NFL football game on Sunday, November 10, 2013 in Atlanta. The Seahawks won 33-10. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers; Marshawn Lynch
