Raiders unsure if Marshawn Lynch will return

MOBILE, Alabama - Marshawn Lynch will officially become an unrestricted free agent in March, and Jon Gruden still doesn't know if Lynch is healthy enough or even wants to continue playing football.

Lynch turns 33 in late April, and missed the final 10 games of last season with a groin injury that landed him on injured reserve during the Raiders' Week 7 bye.

“I don't know. I don't know. I don't know yet,” Gruden said when asked if he expects Lynch to play in the NFL this year. “I think when we get back after the Super Bowl, we'll have a lot better indication on his health and his desires, what he wants to do. I'm sure if he wants to play, somebody like me would love to have him back.”

Lynch impressed in his first six games of 2018, running for 376 yards on 90 carries (4.2 yards per rush) and a touchdown in each of his first three games. He also caught 15 passes for 84 yards, and flashed speed and tackle-breaking ability reminiscent of the old Marshawn Lynch.

His two-year contract with the Raiders expires at the start of the new league year in March, as does Doug Martin's one-year deal. Jalen Richard will be a restricted free agent and DeAndre Washington has one year remaining on his contract before hitting unrestricted free agency. The Raiders also have running back Chris Warren, who spent his rookie season on injured reserve after leading the NFL in rushing yards during the preseason.

If Lynch decides to hang up his cleats for a second time in three years, the Raiders have several options for a primary back: re-sign Martin, who ran for 723 yards and four touchdowns but lost three fumbles, entrust Richard, who's more of a threat in the passing game, hope Warren carries last preseason's success into this regular season, or draft a running back and cross their fingers.

Of course there's the aspect of whether Lynch even wants to play, and where the Raiders play home games in 2019 might affect that desire. A message to Lynch's agent, Doug Hendrickson, hadn't been returned as of early Tuesday afternoon. Lynch, an Oakland native, unretired in 2017 to play for his hometown team, and a departure from the Coliseum might jeopardize his interest in playing for the Raiders, or any team for that matter, in 2019.

Raiders lose QBs coach Callahan to Bengals

Gruden was asked Tuesday about quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan's performance during his first season with the Raiders, and he responded to the question by announcing Callahan as the new Bengals offensive coordinator.

“I'm really proud of him, happy for him, happy for this opportunity,” Gruden said. “We're shorthanded right now. We've lost a lot of quarterback guys over the years, and they've all gone on, a lot of them, and done great things. I'm sure Brian will do the same.”

Callahan called plays for the Raiders in their fourth preseason game against the Seahawks, a 30-19 Raiders win, and now the son of former Raiders head coach Bill Callahan gets his first offensive coordinator job.

Gruden plans to hire a new quarterbacks coach, but for now offensive coordinator Greg Olson will oversee the North team quarterbacks this week in Mobile.

Bruckner joins team as new defensive line coach

Brentson Buckner, who coached the Buccaneers' defensive linemen last season, is the new Raiders defensive line coach.

Buckner played in the NFL from 1994-2005 for the Steelers, Bengals, 49ers and Panthers, and coached the Cardinals defensive line from 2013-17 prior to joining Tampa Bay. Gruden wants former defensive line coach Mike Trgovac to remain in the organization in an advisory role.

“I'm trying to negotiate with him to move him up in the organization to help me, but I'll have a further announcement on that later,” Gruden said. “We're hoping to keep Trgo in a different role, a very important role, which we're shaping right now.”