By: Matt Bove
It appears that Charles Woodson has played his final down as a Green Bay Packer.
According to a tweet from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers told Woodson's agent Carl Poston that the team plans to release Woodson.
"Theyre getting ready to release him," Rapport quotes Poston as saying in the tweet. "It's part of the business.
The Packers signed Woodson to a seven-year, $52 million contract in April of 2006.
Woodson was one of the greatest free agent signings in Packers history. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the year in 2009 when he had nine interceptions and three touchdowns. He helped win the Packers the Super Bowl in 2010 and is very likely a future Hall of Famer.
The move comes as no surprise, as releasing Woodson will save the Packers more than $10 million from their 2013 cap. The Packers could have asked Woodson to restructure his deal, but there has been no indication that they asked him to do that or that he was interested in doing that. Considering Ted Thompson's draft and develop system, the Packers probably wanted to go with younger players in the secondary anyways.
Woodson has given no indications that he wants to retire, so it is likely that he will try to sign with a contender for a chance to get another Super Bowl ring before he does retire.
Casey Heyward should have no problem replacing Woodson as the slot cornerback, but there are issues as to who will take over the safety position that Woodson occupied as well.
Jerron McMillian and M.D. Jennings both showed potential at safety last season, but they also had many inconsistencies. The Packers may look to free agency or the draft to find somebody to compete with them for the safety spot aside Morgan Burnett.
Even though Woodson showed decline the last two seasons, his leadership and prescience in the locker room will not be easily replaced.
Woodson's winery Twitter account, TwentyFourWines, also sent out a tweet about Woodson's impending release.
"Thank you Green Bay; It was a great run," the tweet said.
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