That is shocking. That is the first thing that has surprised me this offseason regarding the Packers and Packers players.

According to:
Ryan Wood@ByRyanWood
Raji tells me he's walking away from a "very, very nice deal" from #Packers and interest from multiple playoff teams.

This definitely surprises me.

I think it might be the concussion suffered vs. Arizona at the end of last year. Perhaps Raji's had other concussions and was beginning to worry about his long-term health.

Now this is something worth reading and speculating about. about 99% sure we take a DL with our first pick now. Changes everything.

Actually, if this is true it wouldn't surprise me much at all. It seems pretty clear that one of the biggest reasons for Raji's mediocre career is that he DOESN'T love football.

I'm surprised. Would expect the best d-lineman available is now a very distinct possibility in the first round.

It appears that GB wanted Raji back if what he said about their "very very nice deal." is true. My guess is they weren't counting on going D-line in the first.

This does make it much more likely they'll try to plug some of their other holes with some of the mid-level FA's. Maybe more than one. And at least they have a little more money to play with.

We'd wondered how motivated he was at times. Maybe it's a health decision. Maybe he's taken care of his money and doesn't feel he needs to do something that might not be very important to him.

Either way, I do applaud him for making what many would call the "hard" decision...even if it makes the Packers need to scramble a little bit more.

Well its a big surprise to me, I know he fell back on performance but he was true to the organization and it shows with this decision.

Class act IMO and I wish him the best. I don't think many of the fans have treated Raji as respectfully as they should have. I've always found him to be an intelligent player who has played some good games for GB. I'll never forget the playoff run to the SB when Raji dropped into coverage and snatched a pick six! I remember seeing his big jolly grill as he rumbled into the end zone. He's had some injury and perhaps motivation challenges but I think he was always a good teammate and Packer while on the team. He's a very solid player at his best but if his head & heart isn't in it anymore, I applaud him for leaving gracefully. Thanks BJ and best of luck! Many of the fans and your teammates will miss seeing you in the green & gold!:)

Much respect to BJ. Takes guts to follow your heart in such a public way.

Agree with holmesmd - shocking no, surprising yes. But a solid player without the need to earn / spend gobs of money on his "posse".

Has made more money than he could modestly spend as long as he doesn't go nuts....wish him all the best luck and good health.

From a far thought Raji was a good player and a class act. As many have pointed out this draft is loaded with elite DE/DT's. I love Ragland but Pack should stay true to their board and take BPA.

Respect it or check it. I respect it.

I'm actually glad he's moving on. He had all the physical tools in the world but did not love football. Signing him to a multi-year contract was not going to help GB. I'm glad Raji realized that - even if TT/MM had their head in the sand.

D Jones will be gone next year. There are now BIG holes in the DL.

Bring on the DT in round 1/2.

Good guy, class act, and has now save the Packers and Ted twice. Once 3-4 years ago when he turned down the ridiculous 8+ mil/season offer (to his chagrin) and now. For that alone I applaud him.

It's in the air now that he may just take a year off with ill family members. Have to have respect.

His heart is not in it , don't need players like that , thanks BJ , Goodbye !

What a clusterfrick....this will scew all the drafting planning regardless of DT's being a strong spot in this draft.

TE was an iffy pick.
The draft isn't really strong at ILB
Some great talent at OT
.... a draft really for the best value out there..with BJ
quitting...that philosophy might have to change..especially with Pernell out for 4 games.

No compensation in the draft for a player retiring

There is a trend this offseason that is getting to be quite unsettling...

We have questioned his motivation for a few seasons now, plus he's had injuries and add illness in his family and he is probably doing the best for everyone right now. Maybe he is concerned about suffering more concussions which you cannot blame him for based on everything that we have learned and are continuing to learn about blows to the head. I wish him well. With Pennel out for 4 games due to unnecessary stupidity we need some help at DT. Wouldn't hurt to pickup an experienced player via FA route. Let's see if TT brings in any help. Thanks, Since '61

Well, I guess DT now jumps up the priority list in the draft, maybe even the first round.

Good luck BJ. Did want to see him another year. But now with this news, my previous hunch that TT would go OL with first pick and then because of deep draft then go DL on all but the last two rounds, may change. But then again, maybe not, as I do think TT is still looking heavily towards next year as much I wish he wouldn't.

I don't see this changing things much or at all for the Packers.

I know i'm not the only one who thought the Packers might let Raji walk in FA to begin with, so I don't see why Raji's leaving now suddenly is changing the landscape for the Packers in so many fans' eyes.

I'm sure they'll draft at the DL position, but I think they would probably have dipped there even if Raji stayed. It's supposed to be a deep draft at DL, and the Packers already favor big, athletic bodies when available.

Mostly, this means Pennel sees more time at nose and Christian Ringo gets a chance to show Packers fans what his team mates were talking about towards the end of last season.

The rest of Raji's statement:

"I have played football and been defined as a football player for as long as I can remember. This off-season was the first time that I felt myself pulled in another direction and I am excited to first be “all in” with my family back home and then to explore new frontiers. I am not exactly sure what the next phase of life will entail, but I am confident that all of the lessons I learned during my NFL journey will provide a solid foundation for success.

I have enormous gratitude for Mr. Murphy, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Ball, Coach McCarthy, our entire coaching and training staff and all those in the football personnel department who make the Green Bay Packers so special. This organization not only made my NFL dreams a reality and provided financial security for me and my family for generations to come, but the Packers also helped me become the type of man who can make the decision I make today and for that I am eternally grateful.

I had the great fortune of playing with and developing friendships with some of the greatest teammates in the NFL and I thank all of them for going to battle with me every Sunday. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Clay and I came to Green Bay together as first round picks (me 17 picks ahead of Clay of course) and I am really proud of what we were able to accomplish as a defense and a team, bringing a Lombardi trophy to Green Bay.

Finally, I can’t possibly thank enough the tremendous city of Green Bay and Packers fans across the country. You embraced me from the beginning and helped Green Bay become not just a place I worked, but also a home. I know if I have the same passion, dedication and love that the Packers fans bring to Lambeau Field every game, I will find happiness and great success.

All my best,

BJ Raji"

Good luck BJ. We'll all miss you.

Fair winds and following seas, BJ. Thanks for the memories.

As for the future, I've been saying we need to focus on def front 7 for this draft and take the best available. Only exception is if there's value at the OL or TE spot. Nothing has changed.

First, I respect Raji for this decision. Family, health, have to come first. He probably could have signed one more contract and then retired or played half-heartedly. Very commendable not to game the system.

I do not think this reflects that well on TT. I have been ready to move on from Raji for years. I saw a guy with immense talent without the production, and blamed the dichotomy on a lack of motivation, including during the offseason. Now I can retire my rant about never giving Raji a contract with a lot of guaranteed money - he is an employment at will guy working in an industry that uses contracts.