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10 NFL players who could retire following the 2020 season

By Samuel Teets

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception against the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Browns 38-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception against the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Browns 38-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

4. Frank Gore, RB, New York Jets

Frank Gore signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Jets this offseason. It’s the third consecutive one-year deal Gore has signed with a new team. After years of consistent production, Gore began looking tired last season. However, the 37-year-old should see his role reduced with the Jets, which could preserve his body for the final weeks of the season.

Gore isn’t higher on this list because there’s no guarantee he’ll actually retire. We’ve waited for years for Gore to walk away. Even though it seems like he might have to hang up his cleats following the 2020 season, he probably could find another team to sign a one-year deal with.

Last season, Gore started eight games for the Buffalo Bills. He carried the ball 166 times for 599 yards and two touchdowns. During the year, he went from fifth to third in career rushing attempts (3,548), from fourth to third in career rushing yards (15,347), and from fifth to fourth in career yards from scrimmage (19,243).

3. Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts

After 16 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Philip Rivers found a new home this offseason. The eight-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year, $25 million deal with the Colts. Presumably, if he returns to his Pro Bowl form and the Colts make the postseason this year, he’ll sign another one-year deal. However, Rivers didn’t look like himself last season.

In his final year with the Chargers, Rivers completed 66.0 percent of his pass attempts, but he threw 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. The Chargers went 5-11 and even mulled benching Rivers at one point. The 38-year-old quarterback could bounce back in Indianapolis, but 16-year veterans rarely flip the script like that.

Rivers set up his post-NFL career this offseason. The former fourth overall pick agreed to become the head coach of St. Michael Catholic High School when he retires. That job probably won’t pull Rivers away from making millions of dollars a year, but he’s a family man who already accumulated generational wealth.

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