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Just a handful of months ago, Ed Reed said he was considering retirement.
Now, Reed says he not only will play "at least one more year", but he also wants a new contract.
The six-time Pro Bowl safety is under contract through the 2012 season and is set to earn at least $6 million in each of the next three years, but in an interview on 105.7 The Fan, Reed said he would like to work out a new deal with the Ravens.
"I'm not making it a big deal," Reed said. "[But] I think it needs to be taken care of."
Reed's request is somewhat of a surprise considering his questionable health situation and uncertain future in the NFL.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year had offseason reconstructive surgery on his hip, and he says he now is somewhere around 35 percent healthy. Reed also has had previous health issues with his neck which have left him questioning the risks involved with suiting up for NFL action.
"I'm not going to ask the Ravens about anything if I'm not going to play any much longer," Reed said. "I appreciate the opportunity that the Ravens have given me. I'm not about to ask them for anything if I'm not going to be playing. My focus is to get myself back. I'm coming back for at least for one more year."
Reed signed a six-year contract extension worth $40 million in 2006, which included a $15 million signing bonus.
He pointed to his consistently high level of play (compared to other high-paid safeties whose performance has dropped off) as a reason for his request for a new contract.
"If the negotiations continue and we can do some things in the process, I'm going to welcome it," Reed said. "I'm not saying that I'm not going to call the Ravens again because we have to have some conversations. Right now, my focus is to get myself back to 110 percent and back to a 107-yard return against the Philadelphia Eagles."
As for this season, Reed is uncertain of exactly when he will be able to return to action. He admitted, however, that he could miss the start of the regular season.
"I believe with the hip, it could be a realistic thing where it could be October, November and December," Reed said. "We don't know. It's going to be dependent on how I feel and what have I done to get myself back into full-throttle game shape.
"I'm feeling good," he added. "I'm moving around a bit. I have some quickness. If we had to play the Super Bowl now, one game, I think I could go out there and smart it up a little bit, using the mind a little more than the body just to give our team something."
