RENTON, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril said he’s starting to get an old feeling about what’s going on with the Seattle Seahawks.
Fresh off signing his new four-year $28.5 million contract extension Friday, one day after linebacker K.J. Wright signed a $27 million, four-year deal, Avril sees some continuity that he appreciates.
Avril and Wright are the latest defensive starters to receive long-term deals from the Seahawks. Since the end of last season, defensive end Michael Bennett, free safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman also received big-money contracts. The Seahawks did the same for strong safety Kam Chancellor after the 2012 season.
“It kind of gives you that college feel," Avril said. “You sign with a college and you know you’re going to be with those guys a few years. You grow together and get better. It’s cool to know the locker room won’t change too much. That’s rare in the NFL.”
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the two signings this week show their commitment to the players that have helped them become successful.
“We’ve been able to make a couple of really strong statements here with K.J. and Cliff,” Carroll said Friday. “We’ve found the core guys we really like and we’re trying to keep them together. We had the chance to do this financially right now at the end of the year and we jumped at the chance.”
They had the chance because the Percy Harvin trade earlier this season saved the Seahawks $12 million in salary-cap space over 2014 and 2015.
Avril, who came to Seattle last season as a free agent after five years in Detroit, said it was a relief to get the new deal done.
“I didn’t want to go back into free agency,” Avril said. “I didn’t like that whole process two years ago. I love what Coach Carroll is doing here and the guys make it so fun to play here with the environment we have. I want to keep the party going. I’m happy to know that I’ll be back in Seattle with such a great group of guys. The talent on this team is amazing and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Carroll said the signings this week are part of the plan he and general manager John Schneider had when they first arrived in Seattle almost five years ago. Next up for the Seahawks will be quarterback Russell Wilson and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner after the season ends.
“What John and I have tried to create here is a real stable program," Carroll said. “We want to grow together and see how far we can take it.”
Avril, who had one season at Detroit when the Lions were 0-16, was asked how he has grown a player since arriving with the Seahawks.
“I’ve learned how to win," he said with a chuckle. “The way Coach Carroll runs things is a little different. It’s not an uptight environment. We have a great group of guys and it’s fun to come to work every day.”