Nancy Turner
Oct 05, 2023 - 08:20

Just a quarterback for me: Marshawn Lynch talks relationship with Russell Wilson

Marshawn Lynch revealed in an interview that he and Russell Wilson didn't have a relationship off the field and discussed tension within the team.

In a recent episode of Shannon Sharpe's podcast, "Club Shay Shay," Marshawn Lynch shed some light on the strained relationship between Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Sharpe initially asked Lynch for insight into what happened between the two, but Lynch quickly dismissed himself as the right person to ask, citing his relationships with both parties.

Lynch made it clear that he has respect for Wilson as a player and teammate, stating that he would choose to have Wilson as his quarterback. However, Lynch acknowledged that anything he says about their relationship could be misconstrued due to the fallout from Wilson's infamous goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX. This interception ultimately led to the Seahawks' defeat and may have played a role in Wilson's eventual departure to the Denver Broncos. Off the field, Lynch revealed that he and Wilson did not have a close relationship.

Reflecting on their time together, Lynch recalled a particular incident after a game against the Tennessee Titans in 2013. Dissatisfied with Wilson's performance, Lynch reached out to the team's player personnel staff to offer support. While he received a call with a blocked caller ID, Lynch never spoke directly with Wilson. When they did eventually speak, Lynch was taken aback by Wilson's response, feeling that his attempt to show support was not understood.

Lynch also mentioned preferential treatment from Carroll towards Wilson as a source of tension within the team. He felt that Wilson was exempt from the same level of accountability that other players faced, which created a sense of inequality.

Lynch and Wilson were teammates in Seattle for four full seasons, during which they won Super Bowl XLVIII together. Lynch briefly returned to the Seahawks in 2019 for one game before Wilson's trade to the Broncos in 2022, marking the end of his 10-year tenure with the Seahawks.

Overall, Lynch's insights provide a glimpse into the complexities and dynamics of the Carroll-Wilson relationship, shedding light on the challenges they faced both on and off the field.