It was reported by Pro Football Talk last month that free-agent wide receiver Percy Harvin would “definitely” play in 2016 after a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills last season. But a week later, the 27-year-old has apparently changed his mind about playing, even though teams are interested.
Though teams have inquired the last few weeks, sources tell me it’s “unlikely” Percy Harvin will be playing football next season. @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 8, 2016
The Bills paced Harvin on injured reserve last November with a knee injury, and a team source confirmed to Around The NFL that retirement was an option for Harvin.
PFT’s Mike Florio explained that even if Harvin changes his mind again and decides to play, there’s a certain risk involved with signing him.
Enough teams view Harvin as having enough gas in the tank to make them willing to talk if/when he decides to play — and if he signs a contract to that effect. Until he’s all in, however, there’s a chance Harvin will go back and forth and back and forth again, wanting to play before not wanting to play before wanting to play.
The risk for any team that signs Harvin will be that he changes his mind after putting pen to paper. Some teams would say he’s not nearly good enough to justify the risk that he’ll decide in the middle of the season that he’s going to walk away.
There’s also Harvin’s injuries. He’s had trouble in the past with his surgically-repaired hip, and he underwent surgery for the knee. Even if he does want to play, teams will need to be cautious.
