Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL analyst Kurt Warner retired from football in 2009. Nine years later, he envisioned a comeback.

Warner said earlier this week he thought about trying to come out of retirement to rejoin the Cardinals ahead of the 2018 season, but the Cardinals' lack of interest quickly dismissed any thoughts Warner had of playing again (via Jess Root of USA TODAY):

“I thought about it,” he said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM this week. “I actually went out back and started throwing the football.”

At that point, he had already been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and made a member of the Cardinals Ring of Honor.

“I would have definitely considered it had they been interested first. And second, I really felt I was back in shape to the point to be able to help the team,” Warner continued. “It’s definitely something that wasn’t just throwing it out there haphazardly. It was something I highly considered and probably would have probably explored had they shown interest in doing that.”

Warner was already 47 entering the 2018 season. No doubt he still has a little zip, but mobility and durability would surely have been concerns, both for himself and the team.

Then again, Warner has overcome greater odds. After all, this is the same man who worked in a grocery store and played in the AFL prior to winning the 1999 NFL MVP Award and leading the then-St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl title.

Not to mention, the Cardinals hardly got inspiring play out of Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen.

In any case, Warner figures to settle into his role as a commentator. He might even be in line for a spot in ESPN's Monday Night Football booth.