After another offseason of considering retirement from the National Football League, or NFL, star running back Marshawn Lynch has decided to return to the league and play for the Seattle Seahawks and is set to sign a $24 million deal for the next two seasons.

Adam Schefter, NFL Insider for ESPN, was among the first to report the new Seahawks-Lynch deal sharing on social media Twitter the news early Friday morning.

A few hours later the Seattle Seahawks official Twitter account confirmed the deal that will pay Lynch $12 million each in the 2016 and 2017 NFL seasons according to an ESPN report.

Early in the offseason, former teammate and close associate Michael Robinson admitted that his friend was considering retirement from the league. In late February, head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider both said that they want the controversial Lynch back with the team but were prepared for a future without the star running back.

Lynch is a five-time Pro Bowler making the all-star squad in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and considered the best running back in football. Just like in the 2015 offseason, Lynch also considered retirement in 2014 before deciding to return to play for the team for another year. Lynch has registered 1,200-plus rushing yards in four full seasons with the Seahawks. In the 2014 season, he had career-highs of rushing TDs with 13, receiving TD with 4 and had a total of 1,306 rushing yards in leading the all-time Seahawks’ franchise record of 2,762 rushing yards.

The Seahawks had another great NFL season making the Super Bowl after the championship run in 2014. They lost to the New England Patriots, 28-24 in the Super Bowl XLIX and with Lynch back with the team, the Seahawks will aim for a third straight Super Bowl appearance.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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