Alexander negotiations hit lull

KIRKLAND, Wash. – The only things apparently slowing down for Shaun Alexander right now are his contract talks.

The Seahawks’ Pro Bowl running back and NFL rushing leader with 1,496 yards through 13 games said he believes negotiations on a new contract have stalled.

“Honestly, I believe that they’re going to wait until the end of the year,” Alexander said, one month after saying he “definitely” felt he would have a new Seahawks deal before the end of the season.

“It is what it is. As far as I know, I’ve stayed out of it,” he said. “I’ve let my agent and the Seahawks people talk.

“I don’t think there are any conversations going on right now.”

Seattle had no response Thursday on Alexander’s contract. They have until March 3, the scheduled start of free agency, to strike a deal with their all-time rushing leader.

Last spring, the team designated him its franchise player and denied Alexander free agency. Alexander then signed a one-year, $6.323 million contract – the team’s mandatory tender offer – before training camp on the condition the Seahawks will not use the same franchise tag on him after this season.

Alexander, who leads the NFL with 23 touchdowns rushing, does not appear unhappy with his current situation. Instead, he is seemingly growing more realistic about the time it will take to ensure he remains a Seahawk. He has said he wants to remain in Seattle to “win four or five Super Bowls.”

As fullback Mack Strong said of the man for whom he has been clearing paths for the last six seasons: “If I’m in his shoes, I’d know I was going to be taken care of. … The kind of season he’s having, with what he’s doing this year, he’s going to enjoy what is going to get dumped in his lap.”

The 13-year veteran said he hasn’t noticed Alexander preoccupied with the contract situation, though Strong added, “I’m sure he does think about it.”