It was once assumed that Charles Woodson would end his career as a Green Bay Packer. The 2009 Defensive Player of the Year signed a five-year extension with the Packers in 2010 and many thought he would stay there until retirement. However, this NFL offseason Green Bay parted ways with the 26-year old defensive standout in a move both pay related and age related. Now, the New York Jets are calling about Woodson. Could he be replacing Darrelle Revis?
Woodson agreed to an extension in 2010 that was worth $55 million. He would have added about $10 million against the Packers' salary cap this upcoming season. The team did some payroll slashing and Woodson was the first cap-casualty. Woodson signed with Green Bay prior to the 2006 season and is known as one of their most important defensive acquisitions.
Green Bay has numerous players that are set to become free agents next year and will be due large pay increases, most notably is quarterback Aaron Rodgers who will look to be paid somewhere in the ballpark range of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji will be upcoming free agents looking to become highly paid.
Woodson missed most of the 2012 season with a broken collarbone which will likely play into the interest he receivers from teams, but the veteran is still a ballhawk and can make an impact. Woodson has 55 interceptions and 12 touchdowns in his career and can still be a threat to a passing offense. He has enough versatility in the secondary, any team could pick him up and Woodson would fit immediately into any defensive system.
When Woodson was released, he told his agent he only wanted to sign on with a Super Bowl contender. The New York Jets might not be a contender, but they are interested in the cornerback-safety hybrid. The Jets are rumored to be replacing cornerback Darrelle Revis in an effort to garner more draft picks and cash compensation. They could sign Woodson at a lower price and still get plenty of production out of him in return.
