Brandon Jacobs claims he really may get a shot to return to the NFL as a defensive end.
The former New York Giants running back, who turns 39 next week, told HoumaToday.com that he could be “one of the best in the league” despite never playing the position before, and added his agent has heard from at least three teams interested in checking him out as a defensive end this summer.
“I don’t want to throw names out there just yet because I was told not to, but it’ll be a shock,” he said. “If I don’t get an opportunity, it’s fine. I’m currently coaching high school football and running a youth program, which I’m perfectly content with doing the rest of my life.”
Jacobs last played in the NFL in 2013 after nine seasons — eight with the Giants and one with the San Francisco 49ers — but became motivated to return to the league when he saw that Tim Tebow was getting an opportunity at tight end.
Jacobs, who said he believed he was a better athlete than Tebow, played three snaps of defense in college and said he turned down an opportunity to play for Nick Saban at LSU because they would have moved him to defensive end, choosing Auburn instead.
“Looking back at it, I wish I had did it,” he said.
His career as a running back panned out quite well, though.
He amassed 5,094 rushing yards with 60 touchdowns in 109 games, winning two Super Bowls with the Giants.
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