NFL Free Agent Rumors: Brian Urlacher and Charles Woodson Looking As Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, 49ers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots Best Fits

The NFL free agent period was a fast and furious for many players, including names like Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Paul Kruger, Jake Long and many others, but two names that did not receive a contract were potential Hall of Famers in linebacker Brian Urlacher and safety Charles Woodson.

According to ESPN.com, both players still have the desire to play, but the one factor that has kept them off NFL rosters so far is their age. Both players are pushing past 35-years-old and in the NFL that means the end and with a youth movement starting to take hold over the league, both Urlacher and Woodson were left searching for suitors. There are a number of old players still unsigned, including Dwight Freeney, Casey Hampton, John Abraham, Karlos Dansby, Brandon Lloyd and Quentin Jammer.

The main two that are left out are Urlacher and Woodson, although of that list there are very solid players that could contribute to teams if healthy, including Jammer and Dansby as well as Freeney. Woodson had some potential landing spots early in free agency with the San Francisco 49ers, but after the team traded up to draft Eric Reid, it is likely that they won't go after him and they also signed a cornerback in free agency. The team lost Dashon Goldson and that was why Woodson appeared a fit, but now that ship has sailed due to the draft.

Woodson is 36-years-old and while he still is a solid safety, he has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons and despite making four Pro Bowls over his years with the Packers, a reserve role might be his next step. Teams that looked like options have already signed players, including the Texans, Ravens and Patriots and Woodson could end up waiting until during the season when injuries start happening to sign a deal.

Urlacher is more likely to get a gig based on his position, but so far that has been unlikely since it has been so slow to see any movement. The Bears appeared to leave the door open for him, but after signing linebackers D.J. Williams and James Anderson it appears as if they are fully ready to move on. The Ravens are a possibility after losing Ray Lewis and although Urlacher would have loved to play all his years in Chicago, that won't happen *(unless he retires).

As a linebacker he could catch on with a team over the summer and one place could be in his old division, as the Vikings could use more depth at linebacker with Jasper Brinkley leaving in free agency and Erin Henderson being untested. So far it appears as though Urlacher will be left out and while the Oakland Raiders may have once been a fit, the team already signed Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett at linebacker.

Freeney likely will find himself a job once John Abraham signs and the Patriots, Broncos and Vikings could be options. He has decreed his production over the past few years which is why the Colts cut him, but he could be a solid rotation player for someone like Denver. Jammer is one that is surprising, as while he is getting older, the cornerback has shown strong cover skills and has a nose for the ball and any team that needs a corner could go after him.

The older guys are finding it hard to hang on in the league and that may mean the end of careers for some all-time greats.