Defensive tackle B.J. Raji will take hiatus from football

Former Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji will take a hiatus from football, he announced on Monday.

“I cannot rule out a return to the NFL in the future, but I will definitely not be playing during the 2016 season,” Raji said in a statement. “This off-season was the first time that I felt myself pulled in another direction and I am excited to first be ‘all in’ with my family back home and then to explore new frontiers. I am not exactly sure what the next phase of life will entail, but I am confident that all of the lessons I learned during my NFL journey will provide a solid foundation for success.”

The 29-year-old is walking away from a “very nice” offer from Green Bay, and others from contending teams, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

A first-round pick of the Packers in 2009 out of Boston College, Raji has spent his entire seven-year career in Green Bay. He’s recorded 11 sacks over his career, and wrapped up his fifth career 20-tackle season in 2015.

Raji’s agent said in February that his client was interested in re-joining the Packers. The only other team he was linked to in free agency was the Carolina Panthers.

– Kenny Ducey