Santonio Holmes Discusses Not Being on NFL Team in Sports Illustrated Interview

Veteran wide receiver Santonio Holmes doesn't understand why another NFL team hasn't signed him since he was let go by the Chicago Bears last November.  

Dan Hanzus of NFL.com passed along comments the 31-year-old wideout made during a video interview with SI Now this week. He's hoping to get a chance to prove he can still be a productive member of an NFL roster:

"

It baffles me a little to know that I'm not a part of any organization. It is a gift and a curse at the same time. And I say that because the gift of playing and the opportunity to be a figure in the National Football League. I enjoyed my time. And the curse of having one injury in my entire career that people are now looking at me as if Santonio Holmes is not the guy anymore. And I think the opportunity just has to come, and the better situation for me and we will see.

"

Here's the full interview, per SI Now:

Holmes was a highly reliable receiver for the first six seasons of his career. He caught 34 touchdowns over that span in time split between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets. He was also named Super Bowl XLIII MVP while with the Steelers.

He suffered a serious foot injury in 2012 that limited him to just four games, however. As a result, he's appeared in just 24 games over the past three seasons. Even when he has played, he's struggled to rediscover his previous form with just two touchdowns.

The Ohio State product made just eight grabs in nine games with the Bears last season before they decided to waive him. He's stayed on the open market ever since.

It remains to be seen whether another team will give him a chance. At 31, he could still have a couple of productive seasons left. It all depends on whether he's finally back to full strength.