GREEN BAY, Wis. Nick Barnett would love to end his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, although the veteran inside linebacker knows full well that the odds are against that happening.
For now, Barnett would settle for the NFL Players Association and league owners reaching a new collective bargaining agreement so he can figure out exactly what his future holds.
While impending free agents are among the players caught in the middle of the current labor strife, the lockout is also affecting players like Barnett, who are under contract with their current teams but could be on their way out.
Barnett, who turns 30 next month, has two years left on his six-year, $35 million contract, which calls for a $5.5 million base salary in 2011and a $6 million base salary in 2012. He has finished two of the last three seasons on injured reserve, and his replacement last season, Desmond Bishop, earned a four-year, $19.1 million contract after Barnett suffered a season-ending wrist injury Oct. 3 against the Detroit Lions.
Barnett, the teams first-round pick out of Oregon State in 2003, ranks second all-time in team history with 1,010 career tackles, just 10 behind team record holder John Anderson.
Theres a lot of uncertainty to be honest. I am under contract with the Packers two more years, but theres been talk of trades not necessarily directly to me but well see what happens, Barnett said on Green & Gold Today Thursday. I know Ill be playing football. Im probably in the best shape Ive been in in the last three years. And super hungry and excited to play. I would love to finish my career as a packer and retire as a packer and obviously break that record.
Im willing to do a lot of things to be a part of that organization, but its hard to get the dialogue because of the lockout. We cant get anything going, or any conversations, and see where each other stands. Im willing to be a Packer and willing to do a lot of things to do it. But we cant talk, so we dont know where we stand.
Barnetts agent, Chuck Price, attended UCLAs pro day last month, when Packers general manager Ted Thompson was in attendance as well. But the two men werent able to discuss Barnetts situation because the lockout forbids teams from making any roster moves or talking about any players with agents.
Barnett said Thursday that he is 100 percent healed after undergoing surgery in mid-October to insert pins into his right wrist to reattach a tendon he tore off the scaphoid bone.
I would be cleared today, ready to play, Barnett said.
Asked if hes fully on board with the NFLPA during the lockout, Barnett replied, I want us to all meet in the middle, owners and players. Players, we only play for (on average) three years. But when were done, owners keep making money until theyre dead. We put our health on the line, bang our heads. I understand where the owners are coming from, and I understand where the players are coming from. We just need to find a place to meet in the middle where its fair for everybody.
For me, Ive been out since Week 4. So this lockout is really, really moving slow.
Barnett said despite Bishops extension and the re-signing of inside linebacker A.J. Hawk last month, he believes last seasons Super Bowl XLV championship was the direct result of the teams overall depth, and that should be proof that the team needs to keep him. Another inside linebacker, Brandon Chillar, could also be in jeopardy of being released.
We had those same linebackers last year, and what happens if we dont have that type of depth of good linebackers? Barnett said. What happens if they release a couple of us and one gets hurt? Then theyre searching for an inside linebacker. Its all about depth. We made it to the Super Bowl because of depth.
I think the biggest thing theyre worried about is players complaining about playing. If it comes down to that, let the best players play. I dont have any confidence issues. I feel like I can line up and compete with any of those guys and win. I think theyre all great players, but I know I know how to play this game. Ive been playing a long time. Im ready to do whatever.
Barnett also said he didnt think the pre-Super Bowl controversy regarding the team photo in Dallas wouldnt hurt his standing with coach Mike McCarthy and wouldnt be the reason why the team wouldnt bring him back.
I was already sensitive about not playing. Maybe I shouldnt have said anything at all, Barnett said. I dont think it affected our relationship. If that affected our relationship, we had no relationship in the beginning. He knows me, respects me, and I respect him the same way.
If I end up on the Packers, I hope I do, but if I dont, somebodys going to be happy to have me.
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