Tag: retire

Sep 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) leaves the field with an injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons OT Kaleb McGary retires, team reportedly signing Jawaan Taylor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury, announced his retirement on social media on Wednesday through his agent, Collin Roberts.

McGary, 31, had signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension in early August 2025 before sustaining a lower leg injury in practice and being placed on injured reserve.

He started 92 of the 93 games he played in six seasons after Atlanta selected him in the first round (31st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington.

“I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb,” Falcons president of football Matt Ryan, who played quarterback as McGary’s teammate in 2019-22, said in a statement. “He was an outstanding teammate and had a tremendous career as a Falcon. We are grateful for the impact he made on this organization, and we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”

The Falcons have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with right tackle Jawaan Taylor with an additional $1 million in incentives, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Taylor, 28, played the last three seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs, starting the 45 games that he played, including 12 in 2025. He was released last month.

Taylor has started all 111 of the games that he has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-22) and Chiefs.

Jacksonville picked Taylor in the second round (35th overall) of the 2019 draft out of Florida.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff (47) leaves the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

49ers DE Bryce Huff announces retirement

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Bryce Huff retired from the NFL on Thursday at 27 years old.

The San Francisco 49ers defensive end revealed his decision in a video posted to his Instagram story.

“I’m retiring from football,” Huff said. “I started playing football when I was four years old. Growing up, I wasn’t the biggest or the strongest, and I didn’t have many friends. All I really had was the game. Football kept me grounded. It gave me something to hold onto.”

Huff went undrafted out of Memphis and caught on with the New York Jets in 2020. He spent four of his six NFL seasons there before signing a three-year, $51.1 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. That marked the richest contract for an undrafted free agent non-quarterback in NFL history.

A wrist injury limited him to 12 games and two playoff games with the Eagles. He did not play in the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

He was traded to the 49ers, reuniting with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2025.

In 81 career games (21 starts), Huff amassed 108 tackles, 24 sacks and four forced fumbles. His best season came in 2023, when he racked up 10 sacks for the Jets while never making a start as part of their D-line rotation.

“Through all of it, I realized something: Football has been my entire life,” Huff said in his video. “I played ever since I was 4 years old, but at 27 years old, I know I’m capable of giving the world more than just football.”

Huff said he is founding a company that builds safety infrastructure for lithium-ion batteries.

According to Pro Football Talk, Huff was owed a $1 million roster bonus from the 49ers on Friday.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) makes a catch over the middle against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

WR Robert Woods signs 1-day deal to retire with Rams

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Robert Woods, a veteran wide receiver of 12 NFL seasons, signed a one-day contract with the Los Angeles Rams and announced his retirement Tuesday.

Woods, 33, spent five years with the Rams (2017-21), his stint culminating with the team’s Super Bowl LVI-winning season. He did not appear during that postseason run after tearing an ACL at a November practice.

But Woods spent the prime of his career in Los Angeles, posting consecutive 90-reception seasons before the 2021 campaign. His best year was 2018, with 86 catches and career highs of 1,219 yards and six touchdowns.

“After 27 unforgettable years of putting my heart into this game, and 13 incredible years in the NFL, it’s time to step away from playing the sport that has given me everything,” Woods wrote on social media. “Football has never just been a game to me. It has been my passion, my purpose and my lifelong dream. I cherished every moment my cleats touched the grass. Every time I stepped onto the field, I was determined to leave a piece of myself in every snap.”

Woods entered the league in 2013 as a second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills. He spent his first four seasons there before joining the Rams. Woods later played for the Tennessee Titans (2022) and Houston Texans (2023-24).

In 171 career games (145 starts), he caught 683 passes for 8,233 yards and 38 touchdowns. He added 514 rushing yards and five touchdowns, almost entirely during his Rams tenure.

In 10 career playoff games (seven starts) for Los Angeles and Houston, Woods added 42 receptions for 449 yards and a score.

Woods didn’t play in 2025 after the Pittsburgh Steelers cut him during the summer.

–Field Level Media

November 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Rams OT Rob Havenstein retires after 11 seasons

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Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons on Tuesday.

Havenstein, who won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams in the 2021 season, started all 148 regular-season games and 13 playoff games he has played since 2015 — the last season the franchise was in St. Louis.

“What a ride it’s been!” Havenstein, 33, posted on Instagram. “I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love. In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”

He thanked his wife, parents, teammates, coaches, the team’s fans and the Rams organization.

“I have had the time of my life with the Los Angeles Rams (formerly known as the St. Louis Rams) and can’t thank the whole organization enough for giving me a shot back in 2015,” he wrote. “Although some in the organization weren’t totally convinced.”

Havenstein played in only seven regular-season games this season (seven starts) as he dealt with knee and ankle bursitis. He was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 19 and the Rams designated him to return to practice on Jan. 22 ahead of the NFC Championship game at Seattle on Jan. 25, but he didn’t play and the Seahawks won 31-27.

A member of the 2015 NFL All-Rookie Team, Havenstein was a foundational part of the offensive line at right tackle. He played on 100% of the offensive snaps in games he played across the 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025 seasons, and at least 90% in the others.

The Rams also reached the league championship game in the 2018 season, falling to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, 13-3. Los Angeles beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 three years later.

“As this chapter ends, I couldn’t be more grateful, hopeful, and excited to see what comes next!” Havenstein said.

–Field Level Media

Lions OT Dan Skipper: ‘Time for me to ‘report’ as retired’

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Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper announced his retirement from the NFL over social media on Thursday.

Skipper, 31, started five of the 12 games in which he appeared this season and 16 of the 69 in his career with the Lions and Houston Texans.

“24 years of putting on pads and a helmet every fall,” Skipper wrote on Instagram. “This year I’ll trade that out to pursue a career on the other side in coaching.

“The memories and experiences that the NFL has brought me and my family are hard to put into words. Thankful for every person that has been a part of my journey.

“It’s time for me to ‘report’ as retired (Sorry I had to do it one last time!)”

Skipper’s joke about reporting stems from a controversial ending in Detroit’s 20-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 30, 2023.

Officials ruled Skipper reported as an eligible receiver on a two-point conversion attempt in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Fellow offensive lineman Taylor Decker caught a pass for the apparent successful conversion. However, the Lions were flagged for illegal touching as officials ruled Decker wasn’t eligible.

Skipper caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the Lions’ 48-42 setback versus the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024.

According to a report, Skipper is volunteering as an offensive line coach at the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl. He will be working with the East team. The contest is Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Shaq Leonard (53) celebrates during a Texans' possession during the second quarter of the game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at NRG Stadium in Houston. Indianapolis Colts Versus Houston Texans On Sunday Dec 5 2021 At Nrg Stadium In Houston Texas

3-time All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard to retire with Colts

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Three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard officially will retire from the NFL this weekend.

The Indianapolis Colts announced Wednesday that Leonard will call it a career at halftime of their home game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. He will hold a press conference that morning at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Leonard played parts of his first six seasons with the Colts, who selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He promptly won the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and was named as a first-team All-Pro that season after leading the league in tackles with 163.

Leonard, 30, was named as a first-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2021 and was named to three Pro Bowls (2019-21). He led the NFL with eight forced fumbles in 2021.

Leonard became the highest-paid linebacker in the league in August 2021 when he signed a five-year, $98.5 million extension. He was released by the Colts in November 2023 after he became frustrated with his playing time.

“Colts Nation will always remember The Maniac’s palpable energy on the field with each tackle, interception, punchout, and fumble recovery,” late Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay said in a statement after Leonard’s release. “Off the field, he’s a servant leader and assisted numerous families in both his hometown and the Indianapolis community. We’re thankful for Shaq and the contributions he made to our organization. We wish him and his beautiful family the best moving forward.”

Leonard, who finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, totaled 637 tackles, 17 forced fumbles, 16 sacks and 12 interceptions in 75 games (71 starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants running back Matt Breida (31) catches a pass before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Report: RB Matt Breida to retire after seven seasons

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Veteran running back Matt Breida plans to retire after seven NFL seasons, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Breida, 30, spent time in training camp with the San Francisco 49ers last year but was released prior to the season. He did not play for an NFL club in 2024.

Per ESPN, Breida also declined a requested workout by the Miami Dolphins during this offseason.

He rushed for 2,652 yards and nine touchdowns in 98 career games for the 49ers (2017-19), Dolphins (2020), Buffalo Bills (2021) and New York Giants (2022-23). He also had 120 catches for 935 yards and six scores.

He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) during the Who Dat chant during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

TE Jimmy Graham set to retire with the Saints

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Tight end Jimmy Graham confirmed a report from the New Orleans Saints’ team website that he plans to officially announce his retirement in the near future.

Graham, 38, is expected to make this announcement as a member of the Saints, with whom he spent the first five seasons of his career before rejoining the club in 2023 for his final 13 NFL games.

“What a journey,” the five-time Pro Bowl selection posted on X. He also included black and gold hearts and a praying hands emoji.

Graham recorded 719 receptions for 8,545 yards and 89 touchdowns in 197 career games with the Saints (2010-14, 2023), Seattle Seahawks (2015-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-19) and Chicago Bears (2020-21).

Graham, who did not play in 2024, was selected by New Orleans in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Including the playoffs, his 94 career touchdowns rank fifth all-time among tight ends.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) walks the field before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Retired Derek Carr: Didn’t want to ‘just take the Saints money’

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Derek Carr announced his retirement last month, a decision that saw him forgo $30 million by opting against shoulder surgery.

Had he gone under the knife, the veteran quarterback still would have been paid by the New Orleans Saints despite being sidelined for the duration of the 2025 season.

“That part was tough because I didn’t want to have surgery and just sit there and — it sounds crazy but — just take the Saints’ money,” Carr told Front Office Sports in a story published on Wednesday.

“I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery. And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100 percent, and so that doesn’t help them, either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team.”

The Saints disclosed that Carr had a labral tear and “significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.”

Carr, 34, signed a four-year, $150 million contract with New Orleans in 2023.

“I never played just for the money,” he said. “I had a whole bunch of people tell me how crazy I was, and, ‘Man, I would never have done that.’ That’s all cool, but I’ve gained all these things that the world has to offer, and it doesn’t really do anything for your heart. I knew my heart was at peace, and that’s really all that mattered.”

The Saints selected quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft in April. They also have 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler and 2023 fourth-round selection Jake Haener on the roster.

Carr was 14-13 as the starter in New Orleans over two seasons, although he was limited to 10 games in 2024 due to injuries.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Carr threw for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions in 169 games for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014-22) and Saints. He was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Marcedes Lewis (84) makes a catch against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Free agent TE Marcedes Lewis, 41, envisions 2025 season as last

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent tight end Marcedes Lewis is planning to hang up his cleats at the end of the 2025 season.

Lewis, 41, announced his plans on the “Up & Adams” show on Thursday.

“Mentally, I’m going into it saying this is going to be my last year,” Lewis told host Kay Adams. “Obviously to have 19 amazing years and the journey’s been great.”

Lewis has played in all 17 games over the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears.

“I’m still playing almost 30 percent of the plays now, and it’s not as if I’m just this old guy or I can’t stay healthy,” he said. “I think I’ve missed like 18 games in 19 years. Durable, I’m still doing my thing. I still practice hard. I’m still a student. I’m learning. I’m not in meetings acting as if I know it all. I think that’s what keeps me locked in and my seatbelt on.”

Lewis ranks first all-time among tight ends in career games played (285). He surpassed Jason Witten (271) and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (270) last season, during which he had one catch for 2 yards.

A first-round pick by Jacksonville in 2006, Lewis has 437 career catches for 5,115 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Jaguars (2006-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-22) and Bears. He made the Pro Bowl in 2010.

–Field Level Media