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Seahawks' Baldwin isn't worried about contract extension

Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Doug Baldwin co-led the NFL in receiving touchdowns last season, but he insists that he's not worried about a contract extension, entering the final year of his current deal.

The Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver was one of the most dominant players at his position during the second half of the year, recording 78 receptions, 1,069 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, all career highs.

Baldwin will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and will be paid $4 million in base salary for the 2016 campaign. The 27-year-old insists that he's solely focused about his on-field contributions as the Seahawks aim to capture their fifth consecutive playoff bid.

"If I continue to work hard, if I continue to strive to get better and not focus on things money oriented, it's eventually going to come," Baldwin said to ESPN's Jim Trotter. "And even if it doesn't, I'm fine with that, too, because at the end of the day, I'm controlling what I can control. That's all God gave me, was the tools to control what I can control. If it doesn't work out the way that I want it to work out, that to me is just God telling me that He has a better plan."

Although the two parties haven't agreed on a new contract, Seahawks general manager John Schneider outlined that Baldwin is instrumental to the club's plans.

"Doug Baldwin is what we are all about," Schneider said. "He has been a heartbeat player since he entered the building."

Baldwin was dubbed "Angry Doug" for his on-field outbursts and is one of the most candid interviews in the NFL. The veteran wideout explained that he won't tone down his passionate remarks, as he takes on a leadership role.

"I'm not afraid to say this, but Pete and I, we had heated debates on the sideline," Baldwin says. "We had more debates on the sideline than in previous years. I want to help the team, and in my mind, as a receiver, you want the ball, you want opportunities to do things to help the team. I put my emotions out there to let it be known, and all the players will tell you, if you don't have a player like that, that can harness that in the right way, then they're not really worth anything. If I'm just out there, and I'm OK with us losing and not converting on third down, then what am I really there for? I'm just going through the motions."

Baldwin said that he's confident about receiving a new contract and won't be upset if a new deal fails to come to fruition.

"I didn't sign my new deal until almost June last time, so the offer is going to come," Baldwin said. "John pretty much told me that the offer was going to come after the draft. Even if it doesn't come, I'm not worried about it. Why not? Because there are other things I value in life. I don't value worrying about that."

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