Chicago Bears Free Agent Profiles: Charles Tillman
Oct 20, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) runs after an interception against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedEX Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Free agency is just a few weeks away and we’re taking a look at the Chicago Bears pending free agents to see who might make sense to bring back. Some of the biggest names were already brought back – Cutler, Jennings, Gould and Slauson – but there are still plenty of guys that don’t know where they’ll be next season. I’m looking at these based on their 2013 cap hit, so next up is Charles Tillman.
Interestingly enough, Tillman appeared on the Mac and Spiegel show on 670 The Score yesterday and talked about what he’s got left in the tank:
"“I don’t want to play forever,” he said. “I’ll be the first to tell you that. I don’t want to play forever. When I first came in the league, man it was like ‘I’m playing until I can’t walk no more. I’m going to play for years.’ But I’ve accomplished some things. And I’ve seen some things. And you know what, man? There’s life after football. “I want to walk when I’m 35, when I’m 40. I want to play soccer with my kids. And I want to play basketball with them. That would suck if I couldn’t walk or shoot a jump shot or play soccer or hockey or whatever sport my son or my children are doing. … I’ve had 11 glorious seasons. So if I would have to give that up, I’m really OK with that. There is life after football.”"
Tillman isn’t really sure about his future with the team or he’s just not tipping his hand:
"“I don’t think they don’t want me back,” Tillman said, acknowledging the business dynamics that still have to play out. Tillman also made it clear that he fully expects to be on the field somewhere in the NFL, if indeed the Bears opt to flip the page and move on. “If I’m here, sweet,” Tillman said. “If I’m not, that’s business.”"
We’ve made our feelings about Tillman clear on this site, with one of our guys starting up a Facebook page to urge Peanut to Stay a Bear.