Report: Walter Thurmond thinking about retiring

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The market has been quiet for free-agent defensive back Walter Thurmond, and apparently for good reason.

The 29-year-old, who spent the 2015 season playing safety for the Eagles, is contemplating retirement, according to Les Bowen of the Daily News.

Bowen, who cited multiple team sources, reached out to Thurmond via text. Thurmond asked "who started that rumor?" but would not confirm or deny that he was contemplating retirement.

Thurmond enjoyed the healthiest and most productive season of his NFL career after Chip Kelly signed him to a one-year deal and moved him from corner to safety. He recorded 71 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

After the season, however, he indicated that it would be difficult for him to return to the Eagles — not because he was considering retirement but because of the Eagles' cap situation.

"I mean, do the numbers. It has nothing to do with me. I would love to be here, but it's just economically, it doesn't work, and I'm just being a realist with the situation," he said.

"They could probably make it work cutting some guys. [It's up to] whoever the GM is going to be, as far as how they make that situation work. But at the end of the day, it's out of my control."

The Eagles have made significant changes since then and may have been able to make room for Thurmond, but instead they signed a safety Rodney McLeod and two corners in Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks. 

Thurmond has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He missed 44 of a possible 80 games in the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants before playing and starting all 16 games with the Eagles last season.

A fourth-round pick by the Seahawks out of Oregon in 2010, Thurmond has an off-the-field interest in filmmaking

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