The Seahawks did not want to re-build at the running back position. The MVP of the NFL will be staying in Seattle for a long time now. Shaun Alexander signed an eight-year, $62 million deal - the richest contract for a running back in NFL history.

"We all know Shaun can score touchdowns and rush for a lot of yards and that's a great thing for a running back. But we talked...about the little things," said Seahawks president Tim Ruskell during a press conference Monday. "To Shaun's credit, he improved in all of those areas, and that's a credit to him and that's another big reason while we are here today."

The contract includes over $15.1 million in guaranteed money via a signing bonus and several other bonuses. The contract slightly surpasses the deal that LaDainian Tomlinson received in 2004 at $60 million.

"This contract is truly a blessing. To be the highest paid running back ever is quite an honor," Alexander said. "It's pretty good."

Alexander was thrilled to be in the Super Bowl and grew to be attached to the city of Seattle. He did not want to leave the team, but did want a big contract.

"Everybody knew this is my city," Alexander said. "I wanted to play here and my goal when I first got here was to do stuff Seattle had never seen before. It's really simple. When you have good people and everybody is going after the same things, it's easy to make the decision about coming in."

By signing Alexander though, the Seahawks will have less money to spend on other free agents they hope to attract. However, with so many of their players already coming back, they should be in very good shape heading into next season.

"I think we're in really good shape," Ruskell said.

Now, Edgerrin James and Jamal Lewis are the most attractive running backs on the market.