Report: Lynch told Raiders he intends to come out of retirement

It may only be a matter of time before Beast Mode makes a comeback in silver and black.

Marshawn Lynch told the Oakland Raiders during a visit to the team facilities Wednesday that he intends to come out of retirement and play the 2017 season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

The Raiders, in search of a running back following the free-agent departure of Latavius Murray, have long been thought to be targeting the Oakland native and former Seattle Seahawks star.

Rapoport reported earlier in the day that a meeting with head coach Jack Del Rio was considered a "final" hurdle for talks between player and team, and there would certainly still be work to do in terms of making the acquisition.

Any arrangement that sees him join the Raiders would have to come either by way of a trade or following an outright release, as the Seahawks still own his rights.

But Lynch making his intentions known is yet another significant step in the right direction for the chances of him returning to the NFL and landing with his hometown team.

The 30-year-old would step in as an early down ball-carrier in complementing the skill sets of promising young backs Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington.

Limited to seven games in an injury-ridden 2015 season, Lynch managed just 417 yards and three touchdowns on 111 carries before electing to walk away from football.

He'd been maintaining a particularly impressive level of production just one year prior, though, finishing the 2014 campaign with 1,306 rushing yards, 367 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns.