Agent: Good chance Kreutz joins 'competing team'

Olin Kreutz might not retire after all.

The veteran center, who turned down a $4 million, one-year offer from the Chicago Bears on Saturday after general manager Jerry Angelo gave him one hour to take it or leave it, has been in discussions about joining a team.

Kreutz’s agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports would not reveal the suitor, but said Kreutz will play for a “competing team” if the 34-year-old decides to pick a new home. Kreutz, who played for the Bears for 13 seasons and was named to six Pro Bowls, is past the stage in his career where it’s about the money.

Where could he land? That’s a good question. The Baltimore Ravens signed Casey Rabach as an insurance policy for Matt Birk, who is out at least a couple weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery. But Rabach failed his physical so that insurance plan is out the window. It’s unlikely Kreutz would choose a situation where he would play a reserve role, though, and all reports indicate the Ravens are counting on Birk for this season.

Kreutz told the Chicago Tribune on Saturday that he was likely finished after the stunning end to his run in Chicago. If he does go elsewhere, it's unlikely he'll get the kind of money the Bears offered. But Kreutz's decision wasn't based on the money and more on a feel he got during negotiations with the club. Stay tuned.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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