OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens star free safety Ed Reed continued to stir the pot, avoiding saying that he definitely will play this fall.
Although Reed is expected to continue playing at least one more year and has been preparing to play by working out throughout the offseason, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year also said during a radio interview on Wednesday night with 105.7 The Fan: "The only way a player gets what he wants is by holding out."
However, Reed didn’t indicate that he actually would hold out.
Reed, 33, is entering the final year of a six-year, $40 million contract and is due a $7.2 million base salary this season.
It’s fairly obvious that Reed wants a new deal.
"I already exceeded expectations," Reed said.
A contract extension for Reed was discussed last year, but talks went nowhere. One obstacle to any type of serious negotiations: Reed has no current representation as far as an agent.
He does have financial advisors, but hasn’t had a registered NFL agent representing him for years since firing Eugene Mato. Mato and Greg Genske negotiated Reed’s last contract.
"This is not about money," Reed said. "This is a business. There’s two sides to every business.”
For anyone saying the Pro Bowl safety doth protest too much about his status, Reed memorably said: "Babies whine, I’m a grown-ass man."
Reed skipped a mandatory full-team minicamp and is expected to be fined under the NFL collective bargaining agreement.
Reed emphasized that he wants to spend as much time as possible with family, including his four-year old son this offseason.
"I’ve been working out this whole offseason, but there’s other things that are more important to me," Reed said.
Reed did say he’s happy playing in Baltimore, though.
"I love Baltimore," Reed said. "I’m good with staying in Baltimore.”
Reed did acknowledge that he got motivated by talking with former San Francisco 49ers defensive back Eric Wright when he ran into him this year at a Las Vegas casino along with 49ers Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott.
Reed has a football camp for kids next week at Stevenson University.
Reed is tied for 11th on the NFL all-time list with 57 career interceptions.
And Reed said that he would like to make a run at Paul Krause’s all-time NFL record of 81 interceptions.
What are Reed’s plans for the future?
"The next couple years, I’m going to do some golfing, get back in school, take care of my family," Reed said.
