TEMPE, Ariz. -- Before Frostee Rucker lets free agency play out next week, the 34-year-old defensive lineman will decide whether he wants to play again in 2018.
“It’s a possibility,” he told ESPN.
After the season, Rucker didn’t set a timeline for making a decision on his playing future. He was going to let exit meetings with the Arizona Cardinals’ former staff begin the process. But, Rucker said, he wasn’t in a rush to decide on a 13th season.
“We’ll see how free agency goes,” Rucker said. “Hopefully we can agree to something here and we can talk and have conversations. I’ll entertain that.”
Heading into last season, Rucker had two goals: Win a Super Bowl and play in all 16 games. He came up short of the first one but stayed healthy for an entire season for the first time since 2013. He was able to “walk away from the game instead of limp away.” That helped him reach 29 tackles, his most since 2012, and 1.5 sacks.
Stats haven’t been Rucker’s sole focus. He knows his impact on a defense usually can’t be quantified.
As free agency plays out next week, Rucker isn’t sure if he’ll entertain offers from teams other than the Cardinals.
Rucker’s approach to free agency has changed “a little” at this point in his career. He’s more interested in the destination rather than the contract, and how moving will impact his family -- whether he or them will be comfortable in their new city.
“I look at logistics and things like that,” he said.
