5 legendary NFL players who could retire in the next 3-5 years

There are some legendary NFL players who could retire in the near future. These five players are probably all on their way to the Hall of Fame when their decorated careers end. They are still currently active in the NFL but could retire soon.

#1 - WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones

No wide receiver in the NFL has been more productive over the last decade than Julio Jones. He has exceeded 1000 receiving yards in seven different seasons with over 1500 in three of them. Jones has recorded at least 120 targets seven times, over 150 targets four times and has even reached over 200 targets in his busiest season in the NFL. He has three seasons with over 100 receptions.

Julio Jones is an NFL legend at wide receiver but his incredible career appears to be running short. After missing just 18 games in his first nine years in the NFL, Jones has already missed 13 games over the last two years.

#2 - RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings and five other teams

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He has exceeded 1000 rushing yards in eight of his 15 seasons and is in the elite group of running backs to eclipse 2000 rushing yards in a single season. That same year he accomplished another rare task when he won the NFL MVP as a non-quarterback. He was the last player to do so.

Peterson is in the top five in NFL history for career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He will easily be selected as the first ballot Hall of Famer when it's all said and done in his legendary career. The end could be coming soon.

#3 - QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger has been the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers for each of his 18 NFL seasons. He is a former NFL Rookie of the Year who has been selected to six Pro Bowls and is a two-time Super Bowl champion. He is ranked in the top ten of all time in passing yards and touchdowns.

Roethlisberger is one of the best Steelers players of all time. That is especially impressive considering their long and decorated history as a franchise. His historic run could be coming to an end in the near future. He turns 40 years old after the 2021 NFL season.

#4 - QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is widely considered one of the ten greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He is a three-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl champion. He has been selected to nine Pro Bowls and three first-team All Pros in his 17 years with the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers ranks fifth all-time in passing touchdowns and tenth in passing yards. He has the lowest interception percentage in NFL history and the third-best career passer rating. He is still at the top of his game as the reigning NFL MVP and a top contender to win it again this year, but at 38 years old his retirement could possibly be coming in the next three to five years.

#5 - QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

Tom Brady is the most accomplished player in NFL history. He is a seven-time Super Bowl champion (the most of all time), and a three-time NFL MVP (the second most of all time). He has an almost endless list of records, including being the career leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

Tom Brady will be 45 years old following the 2021 NFL season. Most believe he would have retired years ago but he's still playing at an elite level. He is the current favorite to win NFL MVP this season. He is the oldest active NFL player, so it would appear that retirement could be coming soon, but nobody really knows when it comes to Tom Brady.