Bruce Irvin declared that he wants to stay with the Seattle Seahawks despite the team not picking up his fifth-year option.

Irvin got a four-year contract with the Seahawks in 2012 worth around $9.34 million, but with Seattle declining to renew or extend Irvin's contract before the May 3 deadline, the 27-year-old player will then be a free agent right after this season, reported SeattlePI.com.

Even though Irvin is facing this predicament, Seattle's 2012 first-round pick is still willing to be seen sporting the Seahawks' jersey, noted NFL.com.

"I have one year left. I would love to be in Seattle. That was the team that gave me a chance when nobody else did. A lot of people told me I wasn't a first-round pick, but Pete (Carroll) and (general manager) John (Schneider) took a chance on me, so like I said I would love to be there, but I'm just going to go out here, I've been working my butt off, I'm going to go out here and have the biggest year of my career next year," Irvin told Tony Garcia of NFL Media. The interview will be aired on NFL Total Access next week.

Irvin seemed to have changed his mind because he had a different statement last month, when Samuel Logan of BlackSportsOnline.com interviewed him.

Asked where he wants to go next, he said, "I'm going to be in Atlanta next season. I'™m ready."

However, the player was just misinterpreted about his willingness to go to Atlanta, according to Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Caroll.

"We've been talking all along, he's been working out in Atlanta for three weeks, and he said in response to the question 'Do you want to come back home?' He said: 'Everybody likes to come back home, it's a dream to come back home.' It wasn't in reference to leaving us and coming back," Caroll explained, as quoted by NFL.com.

Irvin posted a total of 8.5 sacks last season, 6.5 in the regular and two while in the playoffs, noted ESPN. With Caroll's support and another more year to prove his worth, Irvin may not want to seek greener pastures for now. Playing for one of the league's best teams will hone his skills better and in no time, he will get his sweet deal - either from the Seahawks or from another team that needs his services.

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