NFL Rumors: Dancing with the Stars Won't Hurt Driver's Future with Packers

Donald Driver isn't going to let his longer-than-expected run on Dancing with the Stars influence his effectiveness with the Packers next season.

Over the last several weeks, concern has amplified that Driver—who is currently part of one of the final three pairs standing on the ABC show—will miss the beginning of offseason workouts. As a result, there's speculation that the wide receiver's future with the team is in question.

That speculation grew even more in the last few days, when general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy seemed to avoid questions about Driver's future, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Lori Nickel.

Then, 37-year-old Driver sent out a tweet that got the fans buzzing:

"

Hello everyone: I'm a packer for life. It will never change. Go Pack Go!!!!

— Donald Driver (@Donald_Driver80) May 17, 2012"

Driver is clearly confident about his future in Green Bay, and the team should be as well. A dancing show might seem wimpy, but very little keeps you in shape better than intense physical training that requires you to be on your feet and active for 8-10 hours per day.

And even though his impact on the field as of late hasn't been as crucial as that of Jordy Nelson or Greg Jennings, Driver has still been an extremely durable component of the Packers offense for his entire 13-year career. He also hasn't played in fewer than 15 games since 2001.

Driver's marketing agent, Brian Lammi, was eager to dispel the notion that Driver's tweet was a farewell of any kind. He told Nickel that his client hasn't been neglecting his football responsibilities, despite working 12-hour days on the show.

"It certainly wasn't a goodbye message. It was reassuring fans that he's looking forward to playing with the Packers this season," Lammi said.

There is also this tweet to consider, courtesy of analyst and former Packers executive Andrew Brandt:

"

Talked w/ @JordanWoy, Donald Driver's agent, about future w/GB:"He'll be back. Just need to work out details when done w/the show."

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) May 17, 2012"

Driver might be missing the beginning of workouts, but there's no way he's showing up to offseason workouts in bad shape. In fact, he'll probably be in better shape than ever, and his drive to be a Packer certainly hasn't dissipated. The details are uncertain, but there's no reason to worry about a player whose commitment to the team has been so strong over the course of more than a decade.

Judging by the way Driver has been able to compete on Dancing with the Stars, he's still as driven to win as ever.