The Sports Xchange

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks continue to work on a contract extension for quarterback Russell Wilson.

In an interview with ESPN during the draft Saturday, coach Pete Carroll said of the talks that “it’s going a little slow but it’s ongoing.”

It’s believed Wilson is searching for a contract that would pay him more than $20 million a season. Wilson is entering the final year of his initial four-year rookie contract, which can now be extended because he has completed the third season.

Following the draft, Carroll said, “We don’t want to talk much about it because there is just a lot of stuff, it’s such a crucial thing. We are so excited to get Russell and keep him here forever. But it’s a big deal and there is a lot of work to be done.”

–The Seahawks had to make a final decision by Sunday whether to exercise an option to extend the contract of linebacker Bruce Irvin for 2016 that would pay him almost $7.8 million. It’s expected the team will not enact the option.

But while there were rumors of a trade of Irvin to Atlanta, the team said it wants to keep Irvin around.

“We love him in our program and we expect him to be here for a long time and we will work to get that done when the time comes,” Carroll said.

–After the draft, the team signed long snapper Nate Boyer, a 34-year-old former Green Beret who walked on at Texas and made the team there. The team recently re-signed Clint Gresham, the team’s long-snapper since 2010, so Boyer won’t have an easy path to a job. But the team thrives on bringing in competition.

“I think he’s going to hit somebody,” Carroll said. “He’s going to be able to hit somebody. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a guy come to the program with his background, and all that. We cherish competitors, we cherish tough guys, we cherish guys that can overcome odds, and he’s done all of that. And, he’s done a good job, too. He’s even snapped a football. We’ll see what happens. Gresh (Gresham) better get ready.”

–In addition to Boyer, the Seahawks reached contract agreement with 11 other undrafted free agents: tackle Jesse Davis, Idaho; wide receiver Austin Hill, Arizona; strong safety Keenan Lambert, Norfolk State; strong safety Ronald Martin, LSU; linebacker Quayshawn Nealy, Georgia Tech; running back Thomas Rawls, Central Michigan; cornerback Trovon Reed, Auburn; linebacker Alex Singleton, Montana State; defensive end Tory Slater, West Georgia; running back Rod Smith, Ohio State; free safety Triston Wade, Texas-San Antonio.

A closer look at the Seahawks’ picks

–Round 2/63 – Frank Clark, DE, 6-2, 277, Michigan

The Seahawks made a controversial decision to take Clark, who had been kicked off the team at Michigan following a domestic violence incident. But the team believes he will stay on the straight and narrow and viewed him as one of the best pass rushers in the draft.

–Round 3/69 – Tyler Lockett, WR/KR, 5-11, 175, Kansas State

Seattle made the rare move of trading up in the draft — swapping third-rounders and giving three more to Washington — to get a player they regarded as the best returner in the draft.

–Round 4/130 – Terry Poole, G, 6-5, 310, San Diego State

Poole played tackle for the Aztecs but the Seahawks want to use him at guard. He’s a former high-school basketball player and the team likes his athleticism and upside.

–Round 4/134 – Mark Glowinski, G, 6-5, 312, West Virginia

Glowinski also played tackle in college but the Seahawks want to move him to guard. Like Poole, he began his college career at a junior college and the Seahawks believe he is just scratching the surface.

–Round 5/170 – Tye Smith, CB, 6-0, 195, Towson

Seattle needed to add some help at cornerback, and view Smith as able to play on the outside.

–Round 6/209 – Obum Gwacham, DE, 6-5, 236, Oregon State

Gwacham was a receiver his first four years at Oregon State before moving to defensive end. He was a standout high jumper at OSU and the Seahawks believe they can turn his athleticism into being a productive speed pass rusher

–Round 6/214 – Kristjan Sokoli, C, 6-5, 302, Buffalo

Sokoli played defensive tackle at Buffalo. But the Seahawks saw him at an all-star game and approached him about moving to the offensive line. Seattle was impressed by his numbers at his Pro Day and will initially try him at center.

–Round 7/248 – Ryan Murphy, S, 6-1, 214, Oregon State

A cousin of Marshawn Lynch, Murphy was a productive starting safety for the Beavers for three seasons. The Seahawks need depth at safety after losing Jeron Johnson in free agency.