Connor Barwin has drawn interest from ‘a number of teams’

Connor Barwin has spent nine seasons in the NFL as a linebacker and defensive end. He fully expects to play a 10th.

The free agent said “a number of teams” have expressed interest in signing him. He believes he’ll have a deal in place within a couple weeks, likely right before most of the league’s training camps open.

‘I think I’ll make my decision before camp starts’

“The whole offseason, we’ve had ongoing conversations and for me, everybody knows that I’m going to make my decision right before camp and hopefully get into camp on time,” Barwin told Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan on Movin’ the Chains. “I don’t think I need to be there (when camp starts), but right now, (with) the offers I have, that I think I’ll make my decision before camp starts. We’ll see in three weeks, but I do not think I need to be there on the day camp starts because I’ve been doing this long enough, I’ll probably be going to a system where I understand the defense enough that, if I miss a couple days, that will be fine.”

Barwin, 31, said he’s looking to join a team whose defensive scheme matches his skills. But that isn’t all he is seeking.

‘I’m not going to play anywhere that I don’t think they’ve got a chance to win a Super Bowl’

“Then I think it’s how much you believe they can compete,” Barwin said. “I’m not going to go play anywhere that I don’t think they’ve got a chance to win a Super Bowl. That’s always the way I’ve felt, but obviously the older you get, the more and more urgency you have. And then money. Money is always part of it, too. Your whole career, you’ve got to take that as part of the equation.”

He was pleased to have spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams. He enjoyed playing for coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and contributing to the Rams’ surprising 11-5 finish and playoff appearance.

‘I think Sean (McVay) is going to be a great coach in this league for a long time’

“That was fun to be a part of last year,” Barwin said. “I think Sean is going to be a great coach in this league for a long time. He partnered up with Wade, who has been a great coach in this league for a very long time, and they’re going to do great this year. Sean is just a great leader and he’s gotten everybody to buy in and he’s going to do great again this year. I’m excited to see what they do.

“It’s been incredible and I’m not done yet. Luckily, I’ve had a pretty healthy career. I got hurt once my second year in the league when I broke my ankle, but other than that, knock on wood, I’ve been fairly healthy and I feel good. And I think I’ve got a couple of more years in me, so I will make my decision about next year here in a couple weeks, probably right before training camp and look forward to my 10th year and having another great year.”