Ryan Pickett isn’t ready to step away from the NFL just yet.
The 34-year-old unrestricted free agent defensive lineman told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he wants to return for a 14th professional season in 2014.
“I’m going to play,” Pickett, a starter for the Packers the last eight seasons, told the Journal Sentinel‘s Tyler Dunne in a story published Wednesday.
According to the Journal Sentinel, Pickett anticipates signing by training camp. He declined to name any clubs with which he’s had contact, according to the paper.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy has said the Packers haven’t ruled out bringing back Pickett. However, the Journal Sentinel indicated Pickett believes it’s quite possible the club has gone in a different direction.
“You can’t blame them. They’re moving forward. They’re bringing in guys that do different things,” Pickett told the paper. “That’s what they’re supposed to do.”
The 6-foot-2, 340-pound Pickett’s greatest appeal could be as a nose tackle for clubs employing 3-4 schemes. He has started at least 12 games in 11 of his previous 13 seasons.