If the Seattle Seahawks have tentative plans to move on from Marshawn Lynchin 2015, coach Pete Carroll isn't letting on.
"He's under contract next year, we'd love to have him back," Carroll told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. "There's no hesitation in us saying that and there never has been."
Carroll went a step further on Friday.
"We'd be thrilled to have him playing for us next year," Carroll reiterated, via USA TODAY's Jim Corbett. "We'll do everything to get that done."
The Seahawks have drafted Robert Turbin and Christine Michael as a succession plan for Lynch, who is due to earn $5 million with another $2.5 million in roster bonuses next year.
Every time Seattle veers from Lynch, though, they come back to the realization that the offense doesn't work unless he's featured.
On the Around The NFL Podcast this week, we set forth the notion that Lynch has run better the past two weeks than at any point in his eight-year career.
"Marshawn's playing the best he's played since he's been here," Carroll acknowledged. "His feet are on fire. He's tough as hell. He's doing everything. He's catching the ball. He's our guy. And he has been all this time."
NFL plans are rarely written in stone. Rather, they flow like a river.
After hearing Carroll's comments, it sounds like the Seahawks' 2015 plans have taken a wide turn since the beginning of the month.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps the Raiders' shocking win over the Chiefs and previews every other Week 12 game. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.