OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens star free safety Ed Reed indicated once again that he’s not completely committed to playing this fall, a recurring theme for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Reed has acknowledged contemplating retirement in the past, and did so again during a Sirius NFL radio interview.
Hours later, though, 24×7 was provided a quote from Reed where he said he planned to continue to play football.
"It’s not about retirement, it’s about my focus in the offseason, health, family and football," said Reed, who has battled hip, neck and shoulder injuries in recent years. "This is the time of year where players think through things. My goal is to play football in the years to come."
Reed, 33, is entering the final year of a six-year, $44.2 million contract and is due a $7.2 million base salary this season.
What’s consuming Reed at this time?
"A totally different focus now, trying to care of my son, spend time with my son and my family," Reed said during the radio interview. "Other things have taken priority."
"Not at the moment, honestly," Reed said when asked if he’s 100 percent committed to playing this year. “Can I play at this level? Yes, I can play at the level, but committed to doing it right now?
"It’s still May. I know time is kind of inching away at me. We do have a mandatory camp coming up that I’m still in deep thought about, because other things are important to me now.”
Reed added that the Ravens were unaware of his stance.
“I doubt it,” Reed said. “I think they will know it after this interview, just like they knew that [Joe] Flacco was a little rattled, as we all were against Houston.”
Reed was light-heartedly referencing his remarks about Flacco prior to the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots.
No contract talks have been broached with Reed regarding a contract extension lately. Complicating any movement toward addressing that topic: Reed doesn’t currently have an agent for the Ravens to negotiate with.
“It has nothing to do with negotiating,” Reed said. “It’s deeper than negotiating."
