Former Packers CB Sam Shields tells Michael Cohen of Packersnews.com that he’s hoping to resume his NFL career and sign with a team in time for the 2018 season, despite sitting out the majority of the past two years with concussion-related issues.
“It’s going to feel great,” Shields said of his recovery. “You’re going to see the (number) 37 you remembered. Everything you seen in Green Bay, you’re going to see that wherever I’m at.”
Shields says he believes he’s back to his normal self after dealing with serious concussion-related issues the past few years.
“No, I don’t think so. I think I’m back to my normal self,” Shields said. “I can just take one day at a time and try to keep conditioning to get myself ready for whatever, March or April, whatever team picks me up so I can be ready to go.”
It’s pretty hard for players to sit out a year and catch on with another team, but Shields doesn’t seem to think this will be an issue for him.
“Oh yeah, most definitely, man,” Shields said when asked if he believes a team will give him another shot. “I think they will because I can still run. (laughter) I’ve still got that in me. I think somebody will want that.”
Green Bay is notoriously conservative with players who suffer serious injuries, but Shields thinks there’s a chance the Packers could bring him back.
“That I really don’t know. But shoot, as I see on my social media, man, they still love me. That’s always been there, especially with the Packers since I’ve been there. It’s always been love. Not just me, but anybody. That’s just the love we’ve got from the fans,” Shields said. “But yeah, I think they would (bring me back).”
Shields did, however, say that one more concussion would end his NFL career.
Shields, 30, wound up signing on with the Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Miami back in 2010. He has spent all seven years of his career with the Packers and was entering the final year of his four-year, $39 million contract when he was cut loose after the 2016 season.
Shields served a two-game suspension at the start of last year, even though he was a free agent.
In 2016, Shields appeared in one game and recorded three tackles for the Packers.
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