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Marshawn Lynch agrees to three-year, $31 million deal

Marshawn Lynch

Seattle Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch smiles during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Mark Humphrey

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has agreed to terms on a new contract that covers the next three years. And he’ll be paid at the high end of the running back market.

Per a source with knowledge of the terms, Lynch gets $12 million this year, in the form $7.5 million signing bonus and a $4.5 million fully-guaranteed base salary.

In 2016, Lynch (if he plays) will get a base salary of $9 million. In 2017 (if he plays), it’s a base salary of $7 million in 2017 along with a $3 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year.

If Lynch retires after 2015, he’d be responsible in theory for paying back $5 million of the signing bonus. But the Seahawks wouldn’t be required to pursue the money. If they know going in that he may walk after 2015 (and that probably was one of the subjects discussed at Friday’s sit-down regarding the contract), it would be a surprise if they seek repayment of the money.

Lynch was scheduled to make $7 million in 2015, the final year of a four-year contract. So, basically, he got another $5 million to return for one more year.