Sean Weatherspoon, a first-round draft pick of the Falcons in 2010 who was a reserve linebacker last season, is not ready to retire.
“Yes, indeed,” Weatherspon said when asked if wanted to keep playing. “I’m 30, so I’m not ready (to retire) yet.”
Weatherspoon played only 27 snaps last season and was insurance behind the Falcons young and talented middle linebacker Deion Jones. Weatherspoon is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 14.
“Usually, you get the lay of the land at the combine,” Weatherspoon said about returning to the Falcons. “I haven’t talked to (coach Dan Quinn) yet or my agent even much, but we are representing Josh Rosen from UCLA. (Agent) Ryan (Williams) will be talking to everybody and he will get the lay of the land.”
The combine starts Tuesday and runs through March 5 in Indianapolis. Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff will attend.
The Falcons selected Weatherspoon 19th overall in 2010. He was on his way to Pro Bowl status until a rash of injuries knock him off his course in 2013. Weatherspoon has started 44 of 67 games in the NFL.
After the 2013 season, he left for Arizona as a free agent because the Cardinals guaranteed more money. He returned to the Falcons in 2016 only to suffer a ruptured Achilles in Week 5.
After recovering, he was signed last season after Duke Riley needed knee surgery.
He was a starter on the 2012 defense that reached the NFC Championship game and came within six yards of reaching the Super Bowl.
In eight seasons — seven with the Falcons — Weatherspoon has racked up 339 combined tackles, eight sacks, 15 pass deflections and one touchdown.
If the Falcons elect to move on from Weatherspoon, he believes he’ll get some interest on the open market.
“My college coach (Matt Eberflus), who recruited me to Missouri, is the (defensive) coordinator for the Colts now,” Weatherspoon said. “There are a lot of things, I love Atlanta, but I’m just looking for an opportunity. I’d love to be here. If things work out, this is where I’ll be.”
