B.J. Raji was once destined to be a force for the Green Bay Packers. He even showed his big man prowess with a Pro Bowl appearance. Since last season, however, the defensive tackle has been sitting out from playing, considering himself to be on 'hiatus.' On Thursday, he gave little indication that his status would change for next season.
Status remains unchanged
The reminder came not from Raji himself, but from his agent Brian Murphy, who is at the NFL Scouting Combine this week. Murphy discussed how the defensive tackle took time off from football to focus on his family, which remains his sole focus; football is barely even seeping through his mind.
Raji's mother and aunt have both been ill, so he has spent the brunt of his time helping to care for them.
During last year's NFL Scouting Combine, it seemed as if the defensive tackle would be signing a new contract with the Green Bay Packers, not leaving the sport entirely. After discussing with his agent, they agreed that it would be best for Raji to leave the sport to take care of his personal matters. There have been indications that the Packers may want him back, but the defensive tackle doesn't seem prepared to take that step right now, and maybe ever.
Raji and the defensive line
Raji was the ninth overall selection by the Packers in the 2009 NFL Draft. The former Boston College star started 91 games over his career with the team, including his Pro Bowl season in 2011.
A torn biceps took away his entire 2014 season, however, leaving his relationship with Green Bay on a year-to-year basis as the team monitored his injury.
Last year, the team finally looked beyond Raji and selected a defensive tackle, Kenny Clark, in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He started just two games during his rookie season, though, recording 21 tackles.
There has been constant turnover on the Packers defensive line for the past several years as they have struggled to lock in starters on the unit. With the latest indication that Raji isn't coming back, the team should finally commit to a rebuild of the line.
