One dark day in February of 2014 may end up costing Ray Rice his football career for good. The 3-time Pro Bowler was suspended after video surfaced of him having an altercation with his then-fiancee, now-wife Janay Rice in Atlantic City.

Although it’s a messed up situation, Rice has made some progress.

Rice’s indefinite suspension was lifted nearly six months ago and all the credit goes to former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones.

This decision was a big sigh of relief for Rice.

“I would like to thank Judge Barbara Jones, the NFL Players Association, my attorneys, agents, advisors, family, friends and fans – but most importantly, my wife Janay. I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions. I am thankful that there was a proper appeals process in place to address this issue. I will continue working hard to improve myself and be the best husband, father and friend, while giving back to my community and helping others to learn from my mistakes.”

However, Rice’s improved behavior hasn’t been convincing enough for a team to take a chance on him. But when you look even further, it isn’t just about Rice. Players like Ray McDonald, Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson aren’t making life any easier.

“Every time a guy gets in trouble for domestic violence, it gets harder for Ray Rice to get back in,” the club front-office member said. “Ray McDonald did Ray Rice absolutely no favors, because every time domestic violence is in the headlines, that brings Rice back onto the radar for the wrong reason. I would have thought that a team that didn’t care so much about the media or fan pressure, like a Dallas or an Oakland—and I would have said Seattle as well before the Frank Clark pick—would have already signed him.

To go along with Rice’s baggage off the field, you also have to deal with a declining running back on the field. In 2013, Rice only rushed for 660 yards while averaging a mere 3.1 yards per carry.

An anonymous front office member reiterated the risk that comes with Rice.

“Now, if he had rushed for 1,200 yards with a 4.5 yard average the last time he played, that might be different. If he was the Ray Rice of 2008-12. But the last time we saw him he ran for 660 yards and a 3.1 average carry.”

Another thing hurting Rice is that he’s near the trouble mark of 30 years old, which is considered the period where running backs begin to decline. Over time, the wear and tear just eventually seems to catch you at the most odd times.

In the midst of all negativity and doubt, this one particular executive believes something special will happy for Rice.

“I think I’m in the minority on this, but I think he plays this year,” a high-level club executive said. “But it’ll have to be for a really strong front office organization. Seattle, Green Bay, Dallas, situations like that. I’m a little bit surprised that it has taken this long for someone to sign him. Buffalo could be another team to watch with Rice. They don’t have a need at running back right now, but I’m told Rex Ryan thinks the world of him from their time together in Baltimore [in 2008]. He loves him. He doesn’t like him. He loves him.”