INDIANAPOLIS -- Spring must be approaching.

Detroit Lions officials are making their yearly attempt to lure tailback Barry Sanders back to the playing field four full seasons after his retirement.

League and team sources here for the annual scouting combine workouts confirmed for ESPN.com that Lions president/general manager Matt Millen and new head coach Steve Mariucci both spoke recently with Sanders to again gauge his interest in a possible comeback.

Once again, Sanders indicated he has no interest in returning, at least until the Lions provide him the option of talking to other teams.

"He might consider the Lions but only as one of 32 teams, not the only team for which he could come back," said a source close to the third-leading rusher in league history. "He wants options and, at this point, it doesn't look like he is going to get any other choices."

Although Sanders repaid the prorated portion of the signing bonus that he owed the Lions following his abrupt retirement just days before the beginning of camp in 1999, Detroit still technically retains his contractual rights. Over the past few years, some other franchises have inquired about Sanders' availability in a trade, but nothing has developed.

Lions officials were hopeful that, with a new head coach and new offensive design, Sanders might at least consider ending his retirement. He never fully explained publicly his reasons for walking away from the game.

But barring a change of heart, it seems Sanders will remain a spectator -- probably for good. There is also the reality of age, since Sanders will turn 35 this summer, and of the rust inherent to four years away from the game.

In 10 seasons with the Lions (1989-98), Sanders rushed for 15,269 yards. He retired in the summer of '99, just 1,458 yards from eclipsing then career rushing leader Walter Payton.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.