Charles Woodson is making sure to keep his options open when it comes to what team he is going to be playing for next season. While the interest is low on the aging veteran, a few teams have called his number and he is willing to listen to anyone at this point. The former Michigan star has a visit planned for Oakland, but is willing to make a return to the state he played his college ball at and play for the Detroit Lions.
While in Ann Arbor to support the three-day Mott Hospital fundraiser, Woodson said he would certainly be open to playing for the Lions if they offer him the right contract and his other visits do not pan out.
"If I make it out of my visit with Oakland, like I just made it out of the visit with Denver, then I'm open. Here's the thing about the Lions, the Lions have players. What the Lions haven't been able to do is put it together. That winning attitude and to be able to start those winning ways, it has to start somewhere. So, would I be open? sure," Woodson said.
Woodson originally wanted to go to a team that would be a Super Bowl contender. He took a visit to the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the offseason, but nothing came of it. This forced Woodson to lower his expectations and his salary demands. Woodson understands his past history with injuries and his age are two things that are working against him in the free agency process. Most teams have written him off and are not willing to put forth the money for a player who is 36.
The Oakland Raiders have a contract on the table for Woodson if his visit go well. He is set to visit his former team on Tuesday and could sign then. Woodson recently said he wold be willing to go to a team that is in a rebuilding process and be a veteran present. The Raiders certainly fit that bill and Woodson is very familiar with the organization after spending the first eight years of his career there.
Woodson is keeping an open mind throughout the entire free agent process, which for a veteran of his age is a good thing. A few teams are finally willing to take a chance on him and he would be wise to take what he can get.