Fansided

5 all-time great NFL players that need to retire after 2015

By John Buhler

Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs won 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson (24) reacts after the Green Bay Packers record a first down in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Packers defeated the Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson (24) reacts after the Green Bay Packers record a first down in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Packers defeated the Raiders 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Charles Woodson: Oakland Raiders Safety

Update: Since publishing, on Monday night Woodson officially announced to reporters that 2015 would be his final season in the NFL.

Charles Woodson is one of the best defensive backs to play in the NFL the last 15 seasons. He is an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. He has won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010 and has done his due diligence to help get the Oakland Raiders back to good the last three seasons.

Woodson continues to make plays as a 39-year-old, leading the NFL with four fumble recoveries and has four interceptions playing primarily safety for the Raiders. He has 65 career interceptions and nearly 1,000 career yards off interceptions. Woodson has been one of the most versatile defensive backs to play in the NFL since the turn of the century.

The former Heisman Trophy winner has been in the league as long as Peyton Manning and may want to hang up the spikes after 2015 before he too experiences rapid decline as a player. Woodson is a tremendous athlete, but Father Time won’t care.

It has been great to see him take on a veteran mentor role with this up and coming Raiders team. Oakland seems to be in a better place since Woodson returned in 2013. The Raiders aren’t playoff bound in 2015, but have a great young group led by quarterback Derek Carr, outside linebacker Khalil Mack, and wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Woodson can feel good about hanging up the spikes at the end of the season, as the Silver and Black are in good hands with that dynamic young trio and a strong head coach in Jack Del Rio. Surely, Woodson could play into his 40s, but would he rather go out on his own terms before the league and the media beg him to?

Next: 4. Adam Vinatieri

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