GREEN BAY, Wis. — At the moment, Donald Driver is still a member of the Green Bay Packers. However, some doubt was raised over the weekend about how much longer that will be the case.
With an opportunity to put all questions to rest about Driver returning for his 14th season with the only team he has ever played for, coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson created plenty of reason to believe Driver may have caught his last pass for the Packers.
"I would never speculate on something like that," Thompson said during draft weekend when asked directly if Driver will be on the team next season.
If Driver were definitely going to be back — after all, he is under contract for 2012 — Thompson could have answered with a simple "yes." If Thompson had been asked that same question about whether Aaron Rodgers will be a Packer next season, he would not have answered in the same way he did about the franchise's career leader in receptions and receiving yards. Of course, Rodgers will be back. So, to respond the way Thompson did means Driver's future in football may no longer be in green and gold.
"He's dancing right now," Thompson said. "He's doing good, too."
Oddly enough, it could very well be Driver's unique offseason schedule as a cast member of "Dancing with the Stars" that has kept the Packers from being able to make a final decision. Releasing a beloved veteran who has turned himself into a household name even among non-sports fans probably wouldn't be the best public relations move while the show continues its run through the end of May. While Driver is dancing, the rest of the team is two weeks into its offseason program in Green Bay with the coaching staff and trainers.
Soon after Thompson's comment about Driver's status with the team, McCarthy took the podium at the conclusion of the NFL Draft and was asked the same question.
"No reason to speculate on that," McCarthy said. "I'm just going to follow Ted's answer to that question."
Driver is 37 years old, has a cap number of about $5 million for next season and is part of a wide receiver group loaded with talent and youth. Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson are Rodgers' top two targets. Plus, last year's second-round pick, speedster Randall Cobb, figures to be a bigger part of the offense in his second season. James Jones signed a new three-year contract last offseason and performed well in his opportunities. There are also two hot commodities on the Packers' practice squad, Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel. Both players have had offers to join other teams' active rosters but have so far turned them down. If Gurley and Borel are asked to remain on the practice squad for another full season, it's doubtful they'll continue to pass on opportunities elsewhere.
But if Driver is going to leave Green Bay, it won't be because he's voluntarily walking away.
"I've always said I wanted to play until I'm 40," Driver said as he cleaned out his locker following the Packers' playoff loss to the Giants in January. "My goal is just to continue to play. If I get an opportunity to come back and play, I will. If not, I'll go somewhere else and play and I'll see them down the road. The thing is, it's not up to me. The Packers have to make that decision."
Driver's production drastically declined from the 2009 season to the Packers' Super Bowl-winning season in 2010. He had gained more than 1,000 yards receiving in six consecutive seasons from 2004 to 2009, but he had only 565 yards in 2010 and 445 yards last year.
"If they decide to go a different route with the young players, then I've got to go do what I want to do," Driver said in January. "Right now, I'm not ready to put the cleats up (and retire), so I guess I'll be going somewhere else to play (if released)."
In February, while making a public appearance, Driver told reporters that he was willing to take a pay cut to return to Green Bay.
"What I'm pushing for is for my legacy to stay around in the state of Wisconsin and around the world forever," Driver said at the time. "So the money's not a big issue."
Pay cut or not, the Packers may be ready to put an end to the record-setting career of Driver in Green Bay; a career that started as the team's seventh-round pick in 1999.
In recent weeks, the Packers have parted ways with both veteran left tackle Chad Clifton due to injury and with safety Nick Collins due to the uncertainty surrounding his surgically-repaired neck. If Driver becomes the latest name on that list, it won't be because of his health – it'll be because there are younger, cheaper options waiting for their chance.
But, for now, McCarthy is content with just watching Driver dance on television.
"I didn't realize it was such a tough thing for a man to admit they watch 'Dancing with the Stars,'" McCarthy said. "And if I'm not at home, we have to DVR it and watch it as a family. We're rooting him on and voting eight times like you're supposed to. He's doing a great job; keeping in shape, that's for sure. Not that that was ever an issue with Donald."
Whether that leads to another year for Driver in Green Bay remains to be seen.
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