Now that running back Marshawn Lynch is retired (unless he isn’t), the next question (apart from whether he’ll unretire) is whether he’s a Hall of Famer.
Many will say, “Absolutely.” But at best it’ll be a close call, and eventually it could require an extended wait.
Lynch currently sits at No. 36 on the all-time rushing list, with 9,112 yards. Those with more yards (and without a bronze bust) include Fred Taylor (11,695), Corey Dillon (11,241), Warrick Dunn (10,967), Ricky Watters (10,643), Jamal Lewis (10,607), Thomas Jones (10,591), Tiki Barber (10,449), Eddie George (10,441), Ottis Anderson (10,273), Ricky Williams (10,009), Clinton Portis (9,923), and Shaun Alexander (9,453).
Most of those guys don’t have a Super Bowl ring. But Ottis Anderson has one -- and a Super Bowl MVP trophy. So if he’s not in, Lynch doesn’t get in, either. (Terrell Davis, the name that always comes up on the topic of overlooked running backs, is 55th on the all-time list, with 7,607 yards.)
Lynch’s best argument for getting in is that Earl Campbell made it with only 9,407 yards. Campbell burned bright for six years, with five 1,000-yard seasons and a career high of 1,934 in 1980. Lynch started with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in Buffalo and he then had two down years (although the second down year, 2010, was capped with the original Beastquake run in a playoff win over the Saints). Next, Lynch rattled off four straight seasons of at least 1,200 yards, maxing out at 1,590 in 2012.
The thing that could help Lynch the most is the passage of time. With NFL offenses skewed toward the pass, great running backs are fewer and farther between. Over the next 20 or 30 years, fewer and fewer running backs will put together Canton-worthy careers. At some point, the Selection Committee could decide to make up for that by picking some overlooked running backs. Of the great running backs who haven’t gotten in, Lynch arguably will be second in line behind Ottis Anderson.
Ultimately, it could be a task for the Seniors Committee. Or it simply may never happen, for Anderson or Lynch.
One way for Lynch to strengthen his case would be to increase his credentials. Which could be one of the factors that ultimately prompts the always unpredictable Marshawn Lynch to return.
Until then, cast a ballot below on the subject and exercise your First Amendment rights (which technically don’t apply in this context but it sounds good) below.
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