Home » Latest » N.F.L. » Marshawn Lynch talks Super Bowl 49 Pass

Marshawn Lynch talks Super Bowl 49 Pass

4

InfoSearched 49 0 N.F.L.

7.5

SaveSavedRemoved 0

Marshawn Lynch reflects on the most scrutinized play-call in Super Bowl history.

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch recently offered a candid assessment of the final offensive sequence in Super Bowl XLIX. During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Lynch detailed the internal discord that followed the team’s decision to pass from the 1-yard line instead of relying on their established physical identity.

• The Seahawks faced a second-and-goal with 26 seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIX, trailing 28-24 to the New England Patriots.
• Head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell chose a slant pass to Ricardo Lockette, which was intercepted by Malcolm Butler.
• Lynch, who had accumulated 102 rushing yards on 24 carries that game, noted that the coaching staff’s refusal to fully own the decision created a lingering disconnect in the locker room.

The Departure from Team Identity

Lynch highlighted that the Seahawks’ success throughout the “Legion of Boom” era was predicated on a punishing, run-first philosophy. He indicated that calling a pass play in the final moments of the championship game contradicted the core mentality the staff preached to the roster. By opting for a pass over a power run with his “Beast Mode” reputation, the coaching staff moved away from the formula that had sustained the team’s competitive dominance.

The decision to throw felt like a departure from the team’s established identity, contradicting the ‘run it down their throat’ mentality the coaching staff preached.

The Psychological Fallout

Beyond the tactical failure, Lynch revealed that the aftermath of the interception impacted team trust. He emphasized that the leadership’s failure to accept accountability for the play-call caused friction between the players and the organization. While Lynch acknowledged in a 2015 interview with NTV Spor that he was “expecting the ball” but maintained a professional “team game” stance, his recent comments underscore that the internal frustrations went far deeper than a single failed reception.

Lynch’s reflection confirms that the play represents more than a strategic mistake; it remains a point of divergence that tested the foundation of the Seattle locker room. With the 2019 season underway, the team moves forward to host the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday at CenturyLink Field.