NAPA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker told the team he wanted to retire and offered to return his $11 million signing bonus before being talked out of it by owner Al Davis.
ESPN, citing an unidentified source, reported Saturday that Walker told the team on Thursday of his intentions to retire. Walker has been at practice the past two days and apparently has had a change of heart.
“That’s a done issue,” Walker said Saturday. “I’m here practicing, waiting, and obviously can’t wait till the season starts.I’m in a great frame of mind. Why wouldn’t I (be)? I’m with a new team, a great bunch of guys.
“I’m looking forward to getting this season on the road and looking forward to going into next week and try to put everything together as a team and as an offense.”
Walker’s tenure with the Raiders got off to a rocky start after he signed a six-year, $55 million deal in March that included the $11 million signing bonus.
He was criticized by coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape in offseason workouts and then was seriously injured in June during a robbery in Las Vegas.
Brought to Oakland to be the team’s No. 1 receiver, Walker has not performed nearly as well as less-heralded players.
He has been limited to one practice a day because he is still recovering from a knee injury last year. Walker has struggled when he has practiced, dropping passes and having miscommunications with his quarterbacks on patterns.
Walker was released by the Broncos in February after catching 26 passes for 287 yards and no touchdowns in eight games last season.
