S-Jax Hinting at Retirement?

[Leftwich]

Steven Jackson hinted on Thursday that he might retire at the end of the 2012 season.

"If I have to write my story," Jackson, 29, said, "I'd rather go out like Barry Sanders and leaving people to want more than to leave too late." When asked how many seasons are left for him, Jackson said laughing, "Maybe this last one. Those hits hurt." Jackson has a $7 million player option left on his contract for 2013 that he is fully expected to opt out of in order to seek a longer term deal on the open market. "I'll allow myself that time to sit back and reflect and think about things I've accomplished in my career and what I've done this season," he said. "And think about how much longer I want to play this game, as well." Jackson has rushed for 990 yards and four touchdowns on 246 carries this season. He's taken a beating over his career, totaling a whopping 2,784 touches over nine seasons.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1663/steven-jackson

Could just be him joking around but could also be true. I would hate for him to retire so early because unlike a lot of runningbacks, he should have more left in the tank approaching that dreaded 30 year old mark.

[krulmichael]

I don't think he's joking. Although I don't think this will be his last season. I could see him signing a 2 year deal to a contender somewhere (for some reason I see him in a Pats uniform). Somewhere where he isn't the complete focal point of the offense to where he doesn't take nearly as many hits per season. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up retiring in the next 2-3 years.

[Fappin Raptor]

What about somewhere like Green Bay?

[Rudi]

Hope he doesn't retire yet...I've always wanted to see how he would do on another team. Granted he isn't the same back he was 5 years ago, but he could still be very productive if he's put into the right situation.

[Guest]

Dude has gone through a lot of injury and contact throughout the years. I could definitely see him hanging it up if he doesn't feel his body can take it anymore. Though if he comes back, it's likely going to be a contender who has been in the playoff hunt for multiple seasons. Jackson's got nothing else to really play for except a title.

[G-men]

I would hate for him to retire so early because unlike a lot of runningbacks, he should have more left in the tank approaching that dreaded 30 year old mark.

I'm interested to know why you think this. Jackson has taken a beating in St. Louis. Why do you think he will age better than other backs?

[Warner2BruceTD]

If he is dead set on playing for a contender, he might as well stay in St Louis. Fisher turned over 50% the roster, squeezed 7-7-1 (4-0-1 in the division) out of what remained, and has a shit ton of picks in the next two drafts. The Rams will contend moving forward.

He's going to opt out and look for a big two or three year deal. If he gets it, he'll leave. If not, he'll stay in St Louis on another one year deal. I don't think he'll retire because he's in tremendous shape and has only seen two playoff games (both in his rookie year as a backup to Faulk).

If he retires, he'll go down as perhaps the most underrated back in NFL history. He's played 7 pf his 9 seasons for Joe Vitt, Scott Linehan, and ***** *********, on teams that were so bad, you could reasonably argue that the Rams from the last two years of Linehan through the ********* years were the worst team in NFL history (in fact, that five year stretch IS the worst winning percentage in NFL history). If the Rams lose to Seattle this week, he will have never played for a winning team. The Rams rarely play national TV games and I would venture to say that most fans & writers have actually seen Jackson play less than a half dozens times.

Despite playing on horrendous teams with historically bad offensive lines and passing games, he has put up 8 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons (assuming he gains 10 yards Sunday), over 10,000 yards rushing, and almost 15,000 total yards. This despite facing 8-man fronts nearly every week and being the only offensive threat since 2006 (aside from possession receiver Danny Amendola the last couple of years). I've also never seen a star RB get less fourth quarter carries. The Rams have been playing from behind for a decade.

He's never had good backups to take the load off, either. Some of the names include a washed up Stephen Davis, Kenneth Darby, Samkon Gado, a washed up Cadillac Williams, Antonio Pittman, etc.

He should be a no brainer Hall of Famer, but he will never get in. His 2006 was the best season I ever saw a Rams RB have (and maybe the best season, period). And i'm old enough to remember Dickerson, Charles White, Greg Bell, Bettis, Faulk who all had big (and in some cases historical) seasons for the Rams.

[krulmichael]

Samkon Gado...holy fuck. Remember when people thought he was the next best thing?

[ram29jackson]

just a contract year ploy. Stay or leave, he wont retire.

[SuperKevin]

If Steven Jackson does leave, anyone think Chris Johnson will try to reunite with Jeff Fisher in St. Louis?

[MVPete]

Holy fucking shit at his 06 season.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackSt00.htm

[Hasselbeck]

If he is dead set on playing for a contender, he might as well stay in St Louis.

I like what Fisher has done.. but it's going to be hard to contend with San Fran and Seattle above them for the foreseeable future. You have to think Arizona will turn it around when they find a QB too.

I can see Jackson staying though - he seems like a really loyal dude. A lot of guys would have demanded a trade dealing with the mess you outlined.

[BigBucs]

Rams beat both the 9ers and Seahawks this season. There is no reason to think they cant become a contender for the west if they have a solid offseason. They already have a good defense.

[Saluki]

Rams beat both the 9ers and Seahawks this season. There is no reason to think they cant become a contender for the west if they have a solid offseason. They already have a good defense.

That's the thing tho, its such an uncertain team, going to probably end up 5-0-1 in division and still won't sniff the playoffs. Even next year I don't think anyone looks at that team and thinks Superbowl.

With the 9ers becoming a top NFC team, and the Seahawks emerging its hard for him to justify staying there if he had the chance to play for a Superbowl contender, I could see GB jumping all over him.

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[Maynard]

i dont know that he is a HOFer. just because he played relativity healthy, consistent football doesnt mean he is a HOFer