RENTON -- Unlike the contentious nature of his holdout from training camp two years ago, the Seahawks and strong safety Kam Chancellor each seem optimistic regarding contract negotiations as training camp gets underway.
Chancellor, 29, is set to enter the final year of his contract with the team. He signed a four-year extension with Seattle in April, 2013 that extended his deal through the 2017 season.
“We have worked real long and hard at that," head coach Pete Carroll said on Sunday. "There is a lot of real positive stuff coming, we're not quite there yet but I think it’s nothing but positive stuff and hopefully we will be able to get something finished soon.”
Chancellor held out through all of training camp and missed the first two regular season games in 2015 in an effort to leverage a new contract from the Seahawks. However, the team was not going to entertain the idea of reworking a contract that still had three seasons remaining.
Carroll had said late during the offseason that the team "would very much like" to get a deal done with Chancellor. The feeling is mutual.
"Yeah, I think it's been positive on both ends and hopefully it gets done any time now, but I feel like it's been positive on both ends. Both sides have been very productive, been working together and just waiting to see what's happening," Chancellor said.
Chancellor had surgery this offseason to remove bone spurs in each of his ankles. He said the difference in how he feels compared to playing with the issues last year is substantial.
"When I had them it was kind of tough on me because of the movements," he said. "I had to think before I moved because I knew if I took a certain step, it would have clicked and I would have felt the pain. Now I feel more free moving around and don’t really have to think because my body is still flowing.”
Reshad Jones of the Miami Dolphins signed a four-year extension this offseason worth an average of $12 million a season. That figure could be the ballpark Chancellor would be seeking in a new deal. He is scheduled to make $6.8 million this season with a possible $325,008 available as well through per-game roster bonuses, according to OverTheCap.com.
Chancellor said he wants to retire in Seattle, but that he doesn't fully control that decision. If a contract is unable to get done, he'll play through the final year of his contract without issue.
"I really don't like to put no negative thoughts in my head," Chancellor said. "I'm a positive guy so I'd rather just keep it on the positive end. Both sides have been productive, positive and we're just going to keep it there."
News & Notes:
-- The Seahawks re-signed linebacker Mike Morgan and released linebacker Arthur Brown on Monday.
Morgan has played all six seasons in the NFL with Seattle after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Morgan was the starting strong-side linebacker for the Seahawks last season, appearing in nine games with three starts.
Morgan had surgery in October to address a sports hernia and missed seven games while on injured reserve.
Seattle signed Brown this offseason as one of three free agent additions at the position, along with Michael Wilhoite and Terence Garvin.
-- Defensive tackle Malik McDowell remains away from the team after being injured in an ATV accident prior to the start of training camp.
-- Cornerback DeShawn Shead (knee), wide receiver Tyler Lockett (leg) and tackle Justin Senior (undisclosed) remain on the physically unable to perform list. Defensive end Dion Jordan remains on the non-football injury list.
-- Running back C.J. Prosise was absent again on Monday as an illness has kept him from being able to practice.
-- Hip hop star Kendrick Lamar was in attendance for practice on Monday.
Photo Credit: FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Kam Chancellor #31 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts following a game against the New England Patriots during a game at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)