Mike Shanahan Thinks London Fletcher Is Probably Retiring

December 9, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins inside linebacker London Fletcher (59) stands on the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher said he is undecided about his future in the NFL and that he was mulling retirement. His head coach thinks that if you’re considering it, you’ve already opened that door and have one foot out.

“I really don’t know. One thing you have to do is, you’ve got to have a mindset that there’s no way you’re going to retire,” Shanahan said, via Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post. “Because if you’re thinking about retirement, you’re not really sure  – at least when I look at my previous years, and you look back at guys — if you’re thinking about retiring, you’re probably already retired.”

Players who are already considering it are usually headed that way. But what he says also could translate into players performance dropping off if they decide to come back one more time. Not everyone can be Brett Favre and take a team to the NFC Championship game.

“London’s the type of guy that you don’t even want to ask him a question,” Shanahan said. “Because his mindset, he’s a warrior, how hard he’s played and what he’s done for this organization.  But all those those things, you’ve got to have a game plan for if he does come back, if he doesn’t come back. You’re taking a look at your financial responsibilities, if you do have the hit that we may take. You just don’t know. So we’ve got a game plan for all scenarios, but you always hope that your great players keep on playing at a high level.”