Free agent safety Charles Woodson is scheduled to meet with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, the first positive sign the 15-year veteran has seen since being released three months ago.
Woodson was released by the Green Bay Packers in February and, other than a visit to the San Francisco 49ers, hasn’t attacted much interest. The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner could be reunited with that year’s runner-up, Peyton Manning.
“I’m 36, so of course I’m considered ancient in the game right now, and teams are looking for younger players and trying to make their rosters younger,” Woodson said last week. “If you’re an older guy, they kind of push you to the side, and they’ll maybe look at you much later on down the road, when I guess they figure they can get you much cheaper.”
Woodson, the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 55 career interceptions, is letting it be known that he’s available and willing to play at least another season.
“Nothing right now, nothing substantial,” Woodson said of potential offers. “I’m just waiting around. We put feelers out, just to see where everybody’s at, but there’s not much right now,”
It’s a tough job market for veterans — just like in the real world outside the NFL.
“I went through this before in 2006 when nobody was interested in me coming out of Oakland,” Woodson said. “I’m in the same situation now. Just have to have a little patience. I’ll land somewhere and help somebody win.”