Charles Woodson is one of the most highly-regarded players in the NFL, but after an injury-riddled season, the Green Bay Packers released him on Friday to clear cap space for the offseason.
According to sources who spoke to ESPN.com, Woodson is expected to be released soon and he will become a free agent. Woodson's agent Carl Poston first told NFL.com that the team would be releasing his client from the roster
"They're getting ready to release him. It's part of the business," Poston said. "I just talked to him. He sounds like he has a lot of football left. He'd like to play for a contender, win another Super Bowl."
Woodson spent the first part of his career with the Oakland Raiders where he was a consistent All-Pro player before signing with the Green Bay Packers. He won the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and helped the Packers win the Super Bowl, but at age 36 he is getting old for a $10 million salary that would count against the salary cap.
This season he missed nine games due to a broken collarbone, although he was able to return for the playoffs. Woodson was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but he changed positions to safety last year after his speed diminished.
Woodson has been to the Pro Bowl eight times during his career and has 55 interceptions and 17 sacks in over 200 NFL games. He was a standout at Michigan, where he was the last defensive player to win the Heisman after playing cornerback and returning kicks.
News has already started to circulate about where Woodson could possibly land, with one of the top spots being the Seattle Seahawks. The move would allow Woodson to stay in the NFC and also would keep him at his safety position.
Cornerback Richard Sherman tweeted about the idea online, writing: "Charles Woodson come to Seattle with the L.O.B and let's go after this ring!"
L.O.B. stands for "Legion of Boom" and refers to cornerbacks Sherman and Brandon Browner, who are considered two of the best in the NFL. The tandem had an excellent year last season, especially Sherman, who emerged as one of the top cover corners in the league after making eight interceptions and being named to the All-Pro team.
Woodson said he has no plans to retire and would like to play for a contender, which the Seahawks are with Russell Wilson after going to the playoffs and defeating the Washington Redskins. Seahawks general manager John Schneider previously worked with the Packers, so the move for Woodson could be a comfortable one and would put him near his old home in California.
Woodson had two years and $20 million left on his contract and once appeared in four straight Pro Bowls from 2008 to 2011 before missing out last season. The main reason for the cut was due to the $2.5 million roster bonus he would receive on top of his $6.5 million base salary for 2013. All together the team took off $10 million in cap space.
