"He's a difference-maker.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has put his value to the team on display in back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances the past two weeks.

Now, will the Seahawks reward him with a new contract after the season?

We'll soon find out how much Lynch means to the Seahawks. The former Cal star technically is signed through 2012, but he has already reached minimal playing-time requirements to void the final year of his contract, making him a free agent at the end of this season. Lynch is earning a base salary of $2.14 million this season.

According to a league source, representatives for the Seahawks and Lynch have had preliminary discussions in an effort to set the parameters for a multi-year contract.

Lynch is one of 19 Seattle players who are scheduled to become free agents at the end of the season. Since head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider took over in January 2010, the Seahawks have been shrewd in their dabbling in the free-agent market, signing mostly young players, such as wide receiver Sidney Rice, tight end Zach Miller and defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch, whom they think will make up the nucleus of a playoff contender in the years to come."