NFL notebook: Marshawn Lynch ponders retirement

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch may be getting closer to announcing his retirement.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the unpredictable Lynch has told people close to him he plans to retire. Last month, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Lynch "is leaning toward retirement."

Lynch, 29, struggled through an injury-plagued 2015 season with a hamstring issue and then abdominal surgery, playing in only seven regular-season games. He finished with just 417 rushing yards on 111 carries.

The five-time Pro Bowler would cost Seattle $11.5 million against their salary cap in 2016. By releasing Lynch, the Seahawks would save $6.5 million against the cap.

--Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was "near tears" in the team meeting Saturday night before Super Bowl 50.

"Both were very emotional and near tears," Broncos president Joe Ellis told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. "Peyton told a few jokes to lighten the mood, but then he got very emotional (when talking about what the game meant to him). And so did DeMarcus (Ware). The room was silent. It was a very emotional gathering."

Ellis said Broncos coach Gary Kubiak addressed the team first, telling the players what Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers meant to him. "He told them he loved them," Ellis said.

--A late flurry of weekend bets in Las Vegas on the underdog Denver Broncos evened out the action against the favored Carolina Panthers for Super Bowl 50.

According to sportsbooks in Las Vegas, the early betting action was lopsided toward the Panthers. With a lot of money now showing up on the Broncos, some Nevada sportsbooks are beginning to wonder if they will be rooting for the Panthers on Sunday, according to ESPN.

The Panthers were consensus 5.5-point favorites as of Saturday. They had opened as low as 3.5 favorites and attracted as much as 90 percent at some sportsbooks.

--Longtime NFL Films composer Sam Spence died on the eve of Super Bowl 50. He was 88.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Spence died Saturday morning at a nursing center in Lewisville, Texas. Spence composed and conducted the music for hundreds of NFL Films' highlights from the 1960s through the '80s.

His son, Kim Spence, told the Chronicle that Spence passing away on the eve of the 50th Super Bowl reflected his father's flair for the dramatic, as heard in songs like "Up She Rises," "Pony Soldiers," "Let's Go Big O" and "The Over the Hill Gang."