Bears cornerback Charles Tillman not looking to retire
Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman is set to become a free agent in March and is coming off two straight seasons that ended in injury, but the veteran told USA Todaythat he's not looking to retire.
Tillman, who turns 34 on Feb. 23, tore the triceps tendon in his right arm halfway through the 2013 season and during Week 2 of the 2014 season. He has spent his entire 12-year career with the Bears.
• BURKE: Veteran stars in danger of becoming cap casualties
"I love the game. I'm not going to stop 'til I'm dead," Tillman said. "Obviously, I can't play until I'm like 50 or 60. But I just want to keep going. I'm feeling good. I just have unfinished business. I want a championship. I think that's my main reason [to keep playing]: I'm hungry for a championship."
Tillman doesn't know if he'll be back in Chicago but told USA Today he is open to all 32 teams, with a preference for ones he believes will be contenders.
Despite his injury-plagued last two seasons, Tillman said the time off has helped him to "heal up really good" and believes his track record shows the value he could bring to a team.
• FARRAR: Biggest off-season questions for NFC North teams
"I think my resume speaks for itself," he siad. "All 10 years of playing (through) multiple injuries -- it takes a lot to keep me off (the field). But this one, I couldn't go because I couldn't protect myself."
In his last full season, in 2012, Tillman had 84 tackles and three interceptions, all returned for touchdowns. He also had 16 passes defended and 10 forced fumbles. A two-time Pro Bowler, Tillman was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2013.
- Molly Geary
