Former Minnesota Vikings receiver Cris Carter is giving NFL teams until Monday to make him the right offer to keep him in the league. If he doesn't get the right deal, he's prepared to retire and start working for HBO Sports.

"I'm not ready to say anything officially, but I want to make an announcement by Monday," Carter said. "The phone is still ringing from NFL. I still want to play. My desire all along has been to play."

But to play Carter needs the right offer from the right team. He doesn't want to accept an offer to play for the NFL minimum and does want to be with a playoff contender.

According to sources, Carter and HBO have agreed to a deal, but the cable network has given him the room to continue to pursue NFL opportunities. That's why this weekend is important. Carter wants to make a commitment to either broadcasting or the NFL by Monday.

If broadcasting is his choice, Carter wants to concentrate on that aspect of his future and retire. He has been offered the chance to be a color commentator on the network, and will also have spots on the weekly highlight show that has Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth as hosts.

"But I want to see about the NFL," Carter said. "I've got to see if the NFL is in or out."

The Dolphins have shown the most interest in Carter, but they aren't talking the amounts necessary to convince Carter to stay in the league. With $3 million of cap room left and all of their draft choices to sign, the Dolphins are only willing to offer a contract at the NFL minimum of $750,000. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shown interest, but their cap isn't much more accommodating to Carter.

"I have had some decent offers from teams, but those aren't from teams that are close enough to the playoffs," Carter said. "It's a strange time to be a free agent in the NFL. You'd like to go to the good football teams, but the good football teams are the ones not willing to pay."

Carter had a decent opportunity fall apart in early March when the Rams, who were willing to pay him $1.8 million, canceled a trip to St. Louis after he had called to tell them a visit with the Cleveland Browns was going longer than expected. Rams coach Mike Martz set up several players and coaches for Carter to meet with, so when Carter called the Rams for a later flight, Martz said he would have no flight.

Carter's interest in the Dolphins is fitting because he has several businesses around the Miami area, including a training center for athletes.

In 15 seasons, Carter, 36, has the second-best receiving numbers in NFL history. He caught 1,093 passes for 13,833 yards and 129 touchdowns.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.