Charles Woodson is considered to be one of the best defensive players in NFL history, but after being released by the Green Bay Packers, the 36-year-old defensive back is in a waiting pattern as he tried to find a new team to call home in the league.
According to ESPN.com, Woodson said that he thinks teams in the NFL see him as too old and that as a safety he is having a hard time finding a new team because of it. Woodson is 36-years-old and is coming off of a year that saw him miss games due to injury. Woodson has previously won a defensive player of the year award and was also a Heisman winner and Pro Bowler in the past.
Woodson still feels that he can contribute in the NFL and that as much as he would like to find a new home, so far other than a free agent visit with the San Francisco 49ers, he has been unable to find employment. He left the visit without a contract and while other teams like the Patriots and Cowboys were initially interested, that talk has cooled.
Woodson joins a fellow NFC North foe and 30-year-old player in Brian Urlacher as aging stars who cannot find teams, as the 34-year-old linebacker has not yet signed after being unable to come to an agreement with the Chicago Bears. Woodson also possibly could have went to the Seattle Seahawks, but with Earl Thomas and their cornerbacks in Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, chances are that the roster is full.
"Nothing right now, nothing substantial. I'm just waiting around. We put feelers out, just to see where everybody's at, but there's not much right now," Woodson said.
The 49ers looked like a solid fit, but after the team signed cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, chances are they won't go after Woodson. The Packers released him since he had a $10 million in cap hits due for next season and despite being a former player of the year, they felt they had to let him go after missing nine games last season with a broken collarbone.
Woodson was moved from corner to safety in recent years and he has some excellent career stats, making 55 interceptions and 17 sacks in over 200 NFL games. The Cowboys are in desperate need of a safety, but since their financial situation is a mess, chances are they will try to find one through the draft. Bill Belichick has always been an admirer of Woodson, but since he is a bit up there in age, he may not go after him.
Woodson was originally a target of the New York Giants, but after the team brought in Ryan Mundy and Aaron Ross in the secondary, they appear to be comfortable with their roster in that area heading into the draft and next season.
