Veteran defensive back Charles Woodson, who entered the league way back in 1998, intends to keep playing through at least 2013.
And he hopes to keep playing for the Packers.
“Until somebody tells me I’m not, this is where I plan on playing,” Woodson said, via the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “I haven’t had that conversation. If that conversation comes around, it comes around, but as far as I know is, anything that I expect is that I’ll be a Green Bay Packer. That’s all I have to say about that.”
This year, Woodson has missed seven games and counting with a broken collarbone. He hopes to return for the regular-season finale at Minnesota, and at the latest for the postseason.
Woodson, who was playing safety in the base defense and slot corner in nickel and dime, arguably has been rendered moot by the development of younger -- and cheaper -- players. Woodson is due to earn base salaries of $6.5 million in 2013 and 2014, the final two years of his current deal.
“Whenever the time comes, I know how to play football,” Woodson said. “That’s one thing you don’t [forget]. Just because you have time off, doesn’t mean you forget how to play the game. I know how to play the game. I know the defense, and so when that time comes, I’ll be ready.”
In the offseason, he probably needs to be ready to face a request for a pay cut. And if he’s not ready to take one, he may need to be ready to move on.