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Sometimes NFL players and coaches shock the world and retire unexpectedly. Whether it be for health concerns or other reasons, early retirement is usually hard to predict. It also often times leaves the team they retired from in a difficult spot because they were planning to have their services for a while longer. Here are five such cases in NFL history.
Shocking early retirements from the NFL
#1 - Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
Sean Payton shocked the football world when he recently stepped away from the New Orleans Saints. He spent 15 years with the team while winning one Super Bowl ring. He has an impressive 161-97 overall record as head coach.
The Saints barely missed out on the playoffs by one game in the 2021 NFL season. They were preparing for an offseason with a difficult salary cap situation, so maybe Payton wasn't interested in participating in a potential rebuild.
#2 - Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
When Andrew Luck retired from the Indianapolis Colts at just 29 years, it was one of the most shocking news stories in recent sports history. He was at the top of his game and in the prime of his career.
He threw for 171 touchdowns in just 86 career games played. He also made the playoffs four times in six years. He was among the best quarterbacks in the league and was riding an upwards trajectory when he stepped away because of ongoing health concerns.
Surprising early retirements from the NFL
Here are five NFL players who shockingly retired early.
#3 - Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson is widely considered one of the most talented wide receivers of all time. His speed, size and ball skills were a uniquely dominant combination that gave opposing defense problems. He retired after just nine years at 30 years old.
Calvin Johnson is still a Hall of Famer despite the short career. He averaged 86.1 receiving yards per game in his career, the third highest number in NFL history. He also holds a single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards.
#4 - Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions
Barry Sanders is widely regarded as one of the best running backs ever. He averaged 99.8 rushing yards per game in his career, the second most of all time. He retired at the age of 30 after playing just 10 seasons in the NFL. He eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards in all ten seasons that he played, surpassed 1,500 rushing yards in five seasons and once ran for over 2,000 yards.
Barry Sanders is a Hall of Famer and former NFL MVP. He accumulated 15,269 rushing yards in his short career, the fourth most in NFL history. He had a chance to be the all-time rushing leader if he kept playing, but decided to walk away early.
#5 - Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Luke Kuechly was one of the best linebackers in the NFL during his career. He played for just eight seasons and was selected to seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All Pros. He was just 28 years old when he retired and was on his way to legendary status if he had been able to keep playing.
Unfortunately he suffered too many concussions and head injuries throughout his career. He opted to step away for safety reasons and to focus on his long term health. It wasn't worth the serious risk of continuing to play, despite the amazing start to his time in the league.
