Well no, you're dumb.
He was a productive player at another position. If he was such a great CB; then why did the 'Niners let him go after one season for cap space? The bottom line is that Rod Woodson is a HOF caliber CB - just not in the period from 1996-99.
And I only spent like .3 seconds looking into this, but most of your research is flawed as well. In 1996, the team offered Woodson various extension packages ranging around about $2-$2.7 million per season. He turned those down because he wanted more cash. Then he played the season and had more injuries and major surgeries. They offered him an extension and he refused. The team then found a CB who would take their money:
https://apnews.com/f4dbee69146f4edfaf789539c95b550a. Rod got all butt-hurt that at 32 years old and with his career achievements the team wanted him to prove he was healthy and take an extension that was basically a bunch of yearly "prove your body can still hold up" deals.
"
https://playerswiki.com/rod-woodson"
- The Pittsburgh Steelers signed a four- year, $12 million worth contract with Woodson on September 18, 1993.
- Woodson declined the three- year, $9 million contract extension offer of Pittsburgh Steelers on August 12, 1996, and requested a four- or five- year long- term contract. Later, they offered Woodson a five- year contract extension of $10 million and a five- year incentive-laden $13.5 million worth contract, including a $500,000 signing bonus.
- Following the 1996 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers offered Woodson a $ 7.2 million four- year contract with a $ 1 million signing bonus.
It turns out that the ENTIRE NFL also saw Woodson's value around the same $2-$3 million range:
His 49'ers contract: "
Woodson's one-year deal in San Francisco, if he reaches all incentives, will earn him nearly $2.5 million." - https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/06/s...eads-west.html
His Ravens contract:
https://frontofficenfl.com/2017/04/1...vens-contract/
Both are around an annual value similar to what the Steelers were offering. So this was never about money. Rod's feelings got hurt and his pride needed him to leave town. The Steelers judged his value at the EXACT same level as the entire rest of the league did.
You're a clown and a fool.