At some point, it does not matter what the truth is. Truth for most people is just an interpretation of perception.
Lynch has implied, if not gone on record, that he feels the FO or Carroll (maybe both?) are smearing him.
Why? The rational response is that it could be to soften the blow, as alluded to earlier. That makes sense.
And it would be dumb.
But there is too much smoke rising for there not to be an issue. Carroll finally went on record as stating how important Lynch was. But the leaks were specific in stating "the FO is moving on from Lynch after this year" or "the FO is tired of Lynch's antics". So clearly there is SOME connection to the FO, and even if it is the janitor - IT ISNT A STATEMENT THE FO SHOULD BE MAKING IN FRONT OF THE JANITOR OR ANYONE ELSE.
My issue is this FO reeks of hubris right now. Look at them cutting an OL when our OL was gutted at the beginning of the year. Look at the ridiculous way the Harvin trade was handled. Even the way the Lynch holdout was managed was a bit bungled.
This FO put all its chips on Wilson this year, but neglected to give him experienced WRs, an OL, and decent offensive gameplans. We also bet it all on a scheme that included Harvin, Lynch and Wilson in some misdirection approach - apparently not aware the entire plan falls apart if Harvin goes down. Since Harvin is made of balsa wood and glass, it was a matter of time - but first his total douch*baggery won out and they had to trade him. Again, why build your entire offense around a scheme that demands the use of your most idiotic WR that has a history of never being able to play for you? When you know he was a d*ck to half the team besides? Hubris. They just assumed they were smarter than the data.
Of course betting on Wilson was doomed to fail because he had no supporting cast. The moment Miller went down, and then to a lesser extent McCoy (who also never really did much) - he was screwed. So no TEs. And as for WRs? We might have been better off bringing back Rice, even if he was only able to play while riding a HoverRound chair.
Lynch isn't Miller. He knows he is carrying this team and he is the one risking permanent injury years from now to do it. For that, he asks that he be recognized and paid accordingly. We grudgingly him only a little mor in a little, because we assumed Wilson would just take over. He didn't and the FO had promptly p*ssed off Lynch.
Lynch has every right to be angry. This team has no chance over the next two years of going better than 8-8 without Lynch. We DEPEND ON HIM. It isn't even Wilson's fault he cannot produce as a passer consistently, since asking him to lead this team to a championship with this offense is like asking someone to create a five course gourmet meal but they can only shop for ingredients at AM/PM.
Without a consistent passing game it is just stupid to get rid of one of the best runningbacks in the game. (And please stop suggesting we can slip Michael in there, or worse Turbin...they are either years away, or need some HGH. We would be better off with that Icky Woods in the deli commercial.)