“It’s still kind of to be worked out right now,” he said. “I haven’t quite decided what I want to do. It’s not so much the team, it’s just my decision. So I’m just rehabbing and just focusing on that right now.”

It shouldn’t be hard to find an opportunity if Tillman wants one. His 13-year career includes 38 interceptions, nine touchdowns and an incredible 44 forced fumbles since he was a second-round draft pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette.

“I think that I’ve built, or I hope that I have a good enough reputation, to know that if a team calls me they know what they’re going to get,” he said.

Although it was difficult leaving Chicago, Tillman called the move to Carolina “one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made.” He expects the Panthers to be right back in the running next season after their loss to Denver in this year’s Super Bowl.

“My experience there was just so amazing,” Tillman said. “I learned a lot. Being a 13-year vet, guys think you know everything. I don’t.

“I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about the business side of football. I learned a lot from Dave Gettleman, our general manager, who I think is the coolest guy in the NFL from an executive position.”