NFL Free-Agent Veterans Who Could Be Waiting All Summer for a Job

A future in the NFL isn't always guaranteed for free agents on the wrong side of 30. 

The NFL is a young man's game and a projection business, making it difficult for an aging player to find work once all the good years are squarely in the rearview mirror. Teams prioritize younger free agents and the draft, which can create long waits for players who once dominated the league. 

In the following slides, we will look at a handful of NFL veterans likely to spend the majority of the summer looking for work. 

Honorable Mentions

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DL Kevin Williams: Kevin Williams turns 36 in August, but he saw action in all 16 games for the New Orleans Saints last season. Teams could do a lot worse in terms of quality defensive line depth.

WR Roddy White: Now 34, Roddy White is coming off a season in which he caught just a single touchdown for the Atlanta Falcons. He's nothing more than a No. 3 receiver at this point.

WR Jerricho Cotchery: Jerricho Cotchery played well in spurts for the Carolina Panthers last season, but his nightmare in the Super Bowl should mean a quiet market for a receiver who turns 34 in June.

WR Greg Jennings: The 32-year-old managed only 19 catches for the Miami Dolphins in 2015. Greg Jennings turns 33 in September.

RB Reggie Bush: A non-factor for the San Francisco 49ers through five games last season, Reggie Bush tore his ACL and missed 11 games. He turned 31 in early March.

CB Charles Tillman: If Charles Tillman wants to keep playing, he might have to wait until the regular season to find a home. The 35-year-old tore his ACL in January.

LB Calvin Pace: Calvin Pace hasn't missed a game since 2010, but he turns 36 in October, and he's coming off a three-sack season in 2015.

WR James Jones

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According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are "not interested" in bringing back James Jones, with Green Bay prepared to "go with the young guys" at receiver for the 2016 season. 

It's back to the scrap heap for Jones, who turns 32 at the end of March. 

Released by the Oakland Raiders and then sent packing at final cutdowns by the New York Giants, Jones caught a break and latched back on with the Packers before the start of last season. He caught eight touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers, while helping—as best he could—to replace some of the production lost by Jordy Nelson.

Still, Jones struggled for long stretches in a featured role. Despite being one of the best contested-catch receivers in the NFL, the veteran has never been fast or impressively quick—making separation an even more difficult assignment at his age. 

Jones has been a productive player over nine NFL seasons, but the Packers are now preparing to move on for a second time. His wait on the open market could be an even longer one this time around. 

WR Andre Johnson

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Andre Johnson's one season with the Indianapolis Colts didn't go well, and now there's serious reason to doubt whether he's capable of producing in anything resembling a starting role.

But the former first-round pick—who turns 35 in July—isn't ready to retire.

"I am playing, there's no question about that," Johnson said, per Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com. "I know I can still play this game...people read into the stories too much. I'm not discouraged about what happened this past season, I'm just waiting for an opportunity."

Johnson could be waiting awhile. 

Despite playing in all 16 games with the Colts in 2015, he caught just 41 passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns—with zero 100-yard games. Indianapolis was a mess for most of last season, especially after losing Andrew Luck. But from start to finish, Johnson looked like his tank was running on empty.

It's conceivable that a team will give him another shot on a one-year deal before camp, but Johnson—the best player in Texans history—is nearing the end. 

RB Fred Jackson

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Most running backs are a few years into retirement by the age of 35. Fred Jackson, who turned 35 in February, wants to keep playing.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Jackson isn't even considering retirement. He wants to "play on." 

But how much does the veteran running back have left?

After eight productive seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Jackson caught on with the Seattle Seahawks for 2015. He carried 26 times for 100 yards while catching 32 passes for 257 yards and two scores.

History appears to be working against him. Only nine running backs have ever produced a season with at least 500 yards from scrimmage after turning 35, including only one—Emmitt Smith in 2004—since 1995. 

If Jackson wants another season, he'll probably have to wait until the end of the summer. It's difficult to envision a team signing a 35-year-old running back before training camp. 

QB Michael Vick

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The end of the line is approaching fast for Michael Vick. 

Once one of the most decorated and admired athletes around, Vick is now looking at the prospect of begging one of the 32 NFL teams to give him a chance to play in 2016. 

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Vick said back in November he wants to play one more season—preferably with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He confirmed those desires this month, telling ESPN's Josina Anderson he wants to play in 2016.

"I'm going to keep my options open and not rush into it," Vick said. 

Vick played five games for Pittsburgh in 2015, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. He was eventually benched for Landry Jones, who is the Steelers' most likely backup quarterback for 2016. 

Other options will likely be limited for Vick, who turns 36 in June. He's lost his fastball. It might take a team desperate for quarterback depth in camp to provide him his chance to play in 2016. 

WR Marques Colston

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The Saints cut Marques Colston, their all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, early in March, citing a "failed physical" designation, per Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. 

Old and injured, Colston is looking at a potentially long stay on the open market. 

Now 32, he caught 45 passes for 520 yards and four touchdowns in 2015. He set new career lows in receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, yards per reception (11.6), yards per game (40.0) and 100-yard games (one). 

At 6'4", he still has the size to be a factor. But Colston is now strictly a part-time player, and his chest injury—which sidelined him to end last season—could be a factor in how soon teams approach him for a chance to play in 2016. 

RB Arian Foster

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Arian Foster may still have a few good seasons left in the tank, but he turns 30 in August and is coming off one of the most devastating injuries (Achilles tendon tear) a player at his position can face. 

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Foster is in no rush to find his next team. 

"Arian Foster’s plan is to be patient, per a source with knowledge of the situation," Florio wrote. "That means waiting to see what happens throughout free agency and the draft, and to make a decision later in the offseason. Foster, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon last season, should be back to 100 percent in the summer."

There should be considerable interest in Foster once he's closer to 100 percent. And while there's risk in waiting—as teams use the draft to fill holes, including at running back—he'll have a better chance at finding the right fit after he's healed and ready to contribute right away.