Ravens safety Ed Reed picked up a $55,000 fine this week for a hit on Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, but he’s remaining mum about whether he’s planning to play another year in the NFL in order to help pay for it.
Reed doesn’t need to keep playing to come up with that scratch, obviously, but he was mum on the topic of what will come in the future on Thursday. Reed, who will be a free agent after the season, said that he isn’t thinking about anything other than the coming trip to the playoffs at this point.
Reed made the Pro Bowl this year and he’s avoided the injuries that have hampered some of his recent seasons, although he admits age has taken a toll on his game. He’s relying more on his brain than his physical range as a result.
“It’s definitely not what it used to be when I was 24 versus 34 now, but that’s where the mental part comes into it,” Reed said, via the Carroll County Times. “You know, you slow down physically, but mentally you get a lot stronger and you understand the game more, which allows me to play the game a certain way and understand how to play the game and put myself in different situations to make plays.”
There will be plenty of time to talk about Reed’s future and whether or not he will continue to be a member of the Ravens. Even though he’s slowed down, Reed isn’t likely to have a hard time finding a new home if his long run in Baltimore comes to an end.