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As Associated Press sports writer Gregg Bell framed it last night: "Now that the Seattle Seahawks have signed Julius Jones, Shaun Alexander wants to know what's going on. ..."

The four-time defending NFC West champions officially announced Monday they had signed Jones to a multiyear contract. According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, the team gave Jones a four-year deal worth around $3 million a year.

The Seahawks have tried to say the right things when it comes to Alexander and his future with the team.

But as long-time Seattle Post-Intelligencer beat man Clare Farnsworth suggested this morning, their actions have said something quite different.

In fact, as Bell explained, Jones' arrival is further proof head coach Mike Holmgren wasn't just appeasing the fan base when he said fixing Seattle's anemic running game was a priority for 2008. Seattle averaged just 4.0 yards per carry in 2006 and 3.8 last season.

Jones also happened to be the second running back Seattle has signed in the last week, after T.J. Duckett, who reportedly signed a five-year contract worth $14 million earlier this week.

Two reasons for Alexander to worry. His rather exorbitant salary this season is another. ...

As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio first reported two weeks ago, there were rumors at the NFL Scouting Combine that Alexander could be released.

It seems to me if Duckett's arrival lent further credence to those rumors, Jones' presence all but sealed the deal.

Maurice Morris, who is due to earn a salary of $1 million in 2008, might also be in trouble.

According to Clayton, Jones is expected to compete for the starting job. Duckett was signed to be a short-yardage back as well as a backup fullback and power back.

Given all that, Jim Steiner, the agent for the 2005 league MVP, told Bell on Monday evening that he will meet with Seahawks executives about what future -- if any -- Alexander has in Seattle.

"We're going to have some discussions with the Seahawks in the next few days," Steiner told Bell in telephone interview. "It will be about the running back situation there."

Steiner declined to comment whether the Seahawks have asked Alexander to restructure the $62 million, eight-year contract he signed before the 2006 season (the deal runs through the 2013 season). That was weeks after he set a then-NFL record with 28 touchdowns and a franchise record of 1,880 yards rushing.

But during a January radio appearance in Seattle, Alexander made his stance on a restructuring crystal clear.

Asked specifically if he would be willing to have his contract restructured, Alexander told KJR-AM Radio: "You don't really do that with your foundation people. You do that with the people you aren't sure about. I just don't think that they [the Seahawks] would do that.

"They're too classy for that."

They might be too classy to ask him to restructure, but they have no problem signing his replacements and almost certainly releasing him.

And that is the bottom line here.

Alexander, 30, is scheduled to earn $4,475,000 in 2008. He has received $18.8 million in base salary so far on his contract, which Steiner at the time said was the richest ever for an NFL running back. Alexander has also received about $13.5 million guarantees through signing and other bonuses.

Unfortunately, once Alexander was rewarded with that big contract, his performance fell through the floor.

While one could easily cite injuries and the loss of offensive guard Steve Hutchinson, who signed with the Vikings after the 2005 season, as contributing factors, the resulting slide makes it hard to justify Alexander's current salary.

How bad has it been?

Alexander, who rushed for 1,880 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns in '05, has averaged only 70 yards per game the past two years and saw his yards-per-carry fall to a career low (3.5) in 2007 after averaging over five yards per carry two seasons ago.

He was limited to just 716 yards in 13 games last year, his lowest total since he replaced Ricky Watters as Seattle's lead back in 2001.

Meanwhile, Jones, who will turn 27 in August when Alexander turns 31, is a capable pass catcher, with 35 receptions in 2005 and 23 last season. Alexander's pass catching has been a liability, even before he wore a cast on a broken wrist throughout the '07 season.

According to Farnsworth, an unnamed NFL scout referred to Jones as a younger, more physical version of Morris, Alexander's backup for six seasons. Morris has carried more than 100 times only in the past two seasons, when Alexander missed 10 games because of foot and knee injuries.

The former Cowboy will also provide a home-run threat the Seahawks' rushing attack hasn't boasted with Alexander and Morris.

So, Seattle has clearly dedicated this offseason to remodeling its running game, hiring former Kansas City offensive coordinator Mike Solari as offensive line coach, signing former Pro Bowl offensive guard Mike Wahle and bringing Jones and Duckett on board.

Farnsworth also advised readers it should come as no surprise if the team selects a running back in April's NFL draft, especially if Oregon's Jonathan Stewart or Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall somehow last until the Seahawks make the 25th pick in the first round.

Either one would give the Seahawks a player who runs harder, and is young enough to be the longer-term answer at a pivotal position.

But whether they draft a back or not, one thing appears clear.

As Bell put it: "There appears to be no place for Alexander with the Seahawks, in their backfield or on their payroll."

SI.com senior writer Peter King put a finer point on it: "Alexander will likely be a traveling man. That's what happens when you don't run hard. ..."

So, what's next?

Clayton told ESPNews viewers earlier this afternoon that Alexander will likely be released in the next few days -- a move made possible by a rule allowing the team to designate two players as post-June 1 cuts (before June 1).

Cutting or trading Alexander won't have much of an impact on the cap.

They would lose $150,000 of cap room by trading him. If they put the June 1 cut on him, they would save $4.475 million of cap room. That might be the best option. It will be hard to get great trade value for him with his contract.

And releasing Alexander immediately would improve his chances of finding a new employer.

The question is, what team would be interested in signing an aging veteran coming off two down seasons as their lead back -- a role Alexander would obviously desire?

According to Clayton, one interesting option for Alexander could be the Cincinnati Bengals. Alexander grew up in Florence, Ky., and has already been popular around Cincinnati.

Clayton added there have been plenty of rumors that the Bengals might try to acquire Alexander via trade in recent years. Rudi Johnson didn't have his best season last year and backup Chris Perry has been hurt for years.

If he's released, the Bengals might be an intriguing possibility in what I strongly suspect will be a limited number of options.