Bruce Irvin made headlines last week when he told the media that he would play for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 while attending a Hawks game. The comment raised eyebrows considering Irvin is currently under contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Of course the remarks were not simply out of nowhere considering the Seahawks announced they were not picking up the linebacker's fifth-year option. However, head coach Pete Carroll believes the comments were taken out of context.
"I'm really glad you asked me that, because he didn't say that," Carroll said, via ESPN.com. "We've been talking all along. He has been working out in Atlanta for these three weeks, and he said [that] in response to the question 'Do you want to come back home?' He said everybody likes to come back home, and it's a dream to come back home. It wasn't in reference to leaving us and coming back [to the Falcons]. He was really adamant about it, and I asked him to leave it and not go at it anymore."
According to Black Sports Online, Irvin said, "I'm going to be in Atlanta next season. I'm ready." That comments were not shocking. Irvin is from Atlanta and he has close ties to head coach Dan Quinn who enters his first year with the Falcons after coaching defense in Seattle. Irvin also expressed his unhappiness about not getting his option picked up. Seattle declined the $7.8 million deal for 2016 which means the linebacker will be a free agent in the summer. Atlanta would have the chance to pick him up if they want.
The Falcons have made no indications that they plan on chasing Irvin next summer, content with seeing how their current roster shakes out first. The Falcons drafted Vic Beasley with the intentions that he would be the next-best pass rusher for the team's defensive unit. Quinn has also been impressed with what Paul Worrilow is bringing to the defensive line along with Rashede Hageman who showed up to mini camps looking thinner and in great shape. Those players along with Kroy Biermann and Adrian Clayborn will determine if the Falcons do chance Irvin next offseason.
There will be a concern with salary cap space as the team is planning on inking Julio Jones to a contract as soon as possible. Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports that negotiations are ongoing with Jones expected to get his money. A large contract to the wide receiver could mean that a big deal to Irvin is simply not an option.
