Ware feels like 'new man' after back surgery, hoping to re-sign with Broncos
DeMarcus Ware is already gearing up for his 13th season in the NFL.
The nine-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher, who underwent back surgery after finishing the 2016 campaign on injured reserve, suggested Friday that the opportunity to chase another Lombardi Trophy is all the motivation he needs to put off retirement.
"I definitely want to play. I've got a lot of passion. I'm always chasing that ring," Ware told ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "People say if you get four sacks you pass this guy, or if you get five sacks you pass that guy - four-this, five-that. But my biggest thing is always I want a ring while I'm sacking the heck out of the quarterback."
The 34-year-old had hinted at the end of the regular season that he intended to continue his playing career, so Friday's comments can likely be taken as confirmation.
While his impending free-agent status creates some relative uncertainty looking ahead, Ware is hoping for a deal that allows him to remain with the Denver Broncos.
"I talked to Vance (Joseph) and he said I'm part of the equation," Ware said. "Hopefully I come back there, and I want to, but it's also about the man who writes the checks and that's (team executive John) Elway. But I'm ready, I'm passionate, and I want to lead that defense."
Injury issues and an apparent drop-off in effectiveness saw Ware finish last season with a career-low four sacks. He can't realistically be expected to recapture the form that saw him rack up 117 sacks across nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, but surgery certainly appears to have him feeling refreshed.
"I just felt like I needed to get myself back to health this time around," Ware said. "I tried to make it through the season, but it was the wear and tear and then you get to the point you can't do certain things because of the nerve. But I'm repaired, I feel right. I don't know what to do with myself now; I feel like a new man."
Ware returning alongside the likes of Von Miller, Shane Ray, and Shaquil Barrett would go a long way toward again having the Broncos boast one of the NFL's most dominant edge-rush groups.