Charles Woodson did not enjoy free agency last offseason. The defensive star was informed he would not be returning to the Green Bay Packers, left to determine his worth on the open market. That did not go as well as Woodson had hoped. Many teams passed on his contract demands, leaving a return to the Oakland Raiders his only option. Woodson is hoping to get more time with the team.
At 37, Woodson is not ready to simply call it career just yet. The safety is convinced he has a few years left in him, but that could be determined by the Oakland Raiders. Woddson is entering the final three games of a one-year contract he essentially had to beg for. Now with free agency approaching once again, Woodson is hoping to remain with the Raiders.
"I want to play again," Woodson told KGMZ-FM, per Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. "I think this is the only place that I would play. I do plan on coming back and playing for the Raiders. If that didn't happen, then I think I would have to decide if I want to go somewhere else for another year. If I'm wanted here, I'm coming back."
Woodson has done his best with the overall weak defense of the Raiders. He has played out 13 starts and 894 snaps, ranking in at No. 38 among safeties in the league. He is certainly far removed from the season he won Defensive Player of the Year, but that is to be expected with age.
Woodson played for the Raiders from 1998 to 2005 before heading over to the Green Bay Packers where he won a Super Bowl. Returning back to Oakland appears to be where he will finish out his career, but Woodson is not ready for that to happen just yet.
"I've just been enjoying my time back here," Woodson said. "Regardless of what our record is right now, it's been great to put on the silver and black and play at the Coliseum. The fans and the love they've shown has been great. All I want to do is win and win for the fans."
Woodson has certainly earned the right to get a glance in the offseason. The Raiders are young on defense and short on talented stars. The safety represents a veteran presence that can be used to coach up the younger players. Woodson is not a player to build around, but certainly a crucial piece to the puzzle. Woodson remains confident that Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen have the team headed in the right direction and he would certainly like to go along for the ride.
