The Seahawks may not be picking up the 2016 option on linebacker Bruce Irvin’s contract, but that doesn’t mean they are in a rush to have him off their team.
That was the message sent by coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Schneider when they met the media after they wrapped up the draft on Saturday. Reports last week indicated that the team would pass on the $7.8 million option, something they wouldn’t confirm Saturday while saying that the plan is to hold onto him whether they use it or not.
“We met with Bruce yesterday before we got going, and it went very well,” Carroll said, via the Seattle Times. “We discussed what our plan is and what we are planning on doing, still knowing that maybe something could happen that could change the decision. It has nothing to do with the statement of how we feel about him in our program. We expect him to be here for a long time and we will work to get that done.”
Schneider compared the situation to the team’s decision not to exercise guard James Carpenter’s option last year, although those who would like to see Irvin remain in Seattle will likely note that the Seahawks failed to re-sign Carpenter before he left for the Jets.
