Packers Reportedly Discussing New Contract With Woodson

This comes as a bit of a surprise, but the Green Bay Packers and cornerback Charles Woodson are reportedly discussing a new contract.

I say it’s a bit of a surprise because, although Woodson is coming off perhaps his finest season, he’ll be 34 this year and still has three years left on his current deal at generous salaries. Woodson is scheduled to make $7.5 million this year, followed by $5.5 million and $6.5 million in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

A long-term contract extension is far from the norm for a player of Woodson’s age, especially when that player still has several years left on his current deal. You could argue, and Woodson’s people probably are, that he’s being paid less than market value for a top-tier NFL cornerback.

The Oakland Raiders’ Nnamdi Asomugha averages $15.1 million per season (have I mentioned the Raiders are idiots?) and the New York Jets’ Darrelle Revis, whom Woodson beat handily for the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, is seeking a new contract that will exceed that amount. Meanwhile, Dunta Robinson got a six-year, $57 million deal for jumping from the Houston Texans to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, this offseason.

Those numbers must look awfully good to Woodson, but the Packers have to consider those three corners will be 29, 25, and 28 this season, respectively.

Woodson’s age is the biggest point of contention, according to Josina Anderson, who initially reported the story. Packers’ GM Ted Thompson hasn’t made a practice of giving big-money contract extensions to aging veterans.

Considering the circumstances, it’s hard to envision the Packers doing anything more than adding a few dollars to Woodson’s current deal.

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Last updated on May 17th, 2015 at 12:26 pm