RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, who was quoted last month saying he will play for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, said Thursday he hopes to continue his career with the Seahawks.
"I want to be in Seattle," Irvin said. "Obviously, my words got misinterpreted."
Irvin was upset the Seahawks elected not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, which would have cost the team $7.8 million in 2016. He didn't attend any of the organized team activities, which were voluntary. But he participated in minicamp this week, which was mandatory.
Irvin praised Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider for drafting him out of West Virginia.
"In 2012, I had a lot of questions coming out before the draft," Irvin said. "Pete and John stuck their necks out there for me and took me in the first round. So why wouldn't I want to be here?"
Irvin attended an Atlanta Hawks playoff game in May when Black Sports Online quoted him saying he would play for the Falcons after the 2015 season.
"I'm from Atlanta," he said Thursday. "My whole family is still in Atlanta. That's every kid's dream to play for their home team. But right now, I'm in Seattle and I love being in Seattle. Hopefully, that's for the rest of my career."
Irvin said he was surprised the Seahawks didn't pick up his option.
"It is what it is,'' he said. "They've got a lot of people to take care of. You've got [middle linebacker] Bobby Wagner who deserves his money, and [quarterback] Russell [Wilson] who deserves his money."
Irvin added that he has learned a lot from the decision by the Seahawks.
"I got the message that it's a business," he said. "It gave me extra motivation, I can say that. I got a little complacent, and I feel like that really put a chip on my shoulder. I can't do nothing about what they're doing upstairs, but I'm going to go out here and handle my business. I'm ready to do what I've got to do."