After the 2020 season, several prominent NFL players could choose retirement.
We watched several NFL legends hang up their helmets for good this past season. Predictably, Antonio Gates and Eli Manning decided to walk away rather than continue their battles with Father Time on new teams.
However, several players like Luke Kuechly and Marshal Yanda walked away following All-Pro seasons. Even more well-known NFL players could call it quits after 2020.
While the last three or four drafts have injected some much-needed youth into the NFL, there’s still a class of elite players who are entering their mid-to-late 30s. With expiring contracts and diminishing physical abilities, the following players might move on to the next stage of their lives after this coming season.
Honorable Mentions
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Saints this offseason. However, the 41-year-old admittedly considered retirement after the team’s third consecutive frustrating playoff defeat. Brees wants to go out as a Super Bowl champion, but injuries or fatigue could force him out after the 2020 season.
Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger also deserve mentions. They both have two years remaining on their respective deals. Brady is approaching 43, while Roethlisberger is still 38 and returning from a season-ending injury. I bet they both play out the remainder of their contracts, but there’s a chance, especially for Big Ben, that 2020 is the end of the line.
Alex Mack, C, Atlanta Falcons
Mack is in the final season of a five-year, $45 million deal with the Falcons. As he approaches his 35th birthday, the six-time Pro Bowler might begin feeling the weight of old age. For reference, left tackle Joe Staley and right guard Marshal Yanda both retired this offseason at the age of 35.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Free Agent
McCoy is an honorable mention because I’m not sure anyone wants to sign the 32-year-old running back. While McCoy did average 4.6 yards per carry during the 2019 regular season, Kansas City didn’t give him one touch during the team’s playoff run.
Terrell Suggs, OLB, Free Agent
Suggs signed with the Kansas City Chiefs late in the 2019 season and got a ring out of it. However, the former Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t have a home for 2020 yet. At 37 years old, Suggs recorded 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 40 tackles last year.
Aqib Talib, CB, Free Agent
After making five straight Pro Bowls, Talib fell off a cliff in 2018. Injuries limited him to eight games that year, and he only made five appearances last season. 2019 was the first year of Talib’s 12-year career that he didn’t intercept a pass. He’s currently 34 years old.
Adam Vinatieri, K, Free Agent
Vinatieri doesn’t crack the top-ten because there’s still a chance he retires this offseason. The NFL’s all-time leading scorer recently put his house in Indianapolis up for sale, which indicates his time with the Colts is over. Vinatieri made 68.0 percent of his field goal attempts and 78.6 percent of his extra-point tries last season. He’s 47 years old.
10. Adrian Peterson, RB, Washington Redskins
After forgettable seasons in 2016 and 2017, Adrian Peterson found a stable home with the Redskins in 2018. After initially signing a one-year contract worth $1.015 million, he agreed to a two-year, $5.03 million deal last offseason. That makes 2020 the final year of Peterson’s current deal, and probably his final season in Washington.
This selection might come as a surprise seeing as Peterson recently told NFL.com’s Kevin Patra that he wants to play for four more years. By that time, he’d be near 40 years old. However, playing until 40, or even for several more years, might not be a realistic scenario for a ground and pound back who has racked up as many miles as Peterson.
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Peterson may stick around for a while longer. He’s the physical freak of his generation of football players. The man can fight through anything, and he’s still a productive player at 35 years old. We’ve also seen Frank Gore recently receive a contract for his age-37 season. I suppose anything is possible.
9. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles
Two years remain on Jason Kelce’s restructured contract, but he might not play the final season. Kelce considered retirement last offseason, but he decided to return for another year. The consecutive three-time First-Team All-Pro isn’t going anywhere this year either, but that doesn’t mean he won’t walk away next offseason.
Amidst retirement rumors, Kelce told The Athletic’s Zach Berman that he’ll let people know when he’s walking away.
"When I decide to retire, you guys will know. It will be a loud and emphatic statement. …It would happen…before free agency, before the draft. It wouldn’t be sprung on out of nowhere."
Despite the efforts of several other key pieces, Kelce is arguably the best player on Philadelphia’s offense. He’ll turn 33 during the 2020 season.
8. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Once one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL, Ndamukong Suh is now a veteran journeyman. Suh signed the third consecutive one-year deal of his career this offseason, agreeing to an $8 million reunion with the Buccaneers. The 33-year-old previously signed with Tampa Bay for $9.25 million in 2019 and Los Angeles for $14 million in 2018.
In 2019, Suh recorded 2.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, four fumble recoveries, 41 tackles, and two defensive touchdowns. He’s no longer a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he’s still an impact starter. Suh left his stamp on the league last year, helping Vita Vea emerge as one of the NFL’s best nose tackles. Suh also played a role on Tampa Bay’s dominant defensive front.
The Buccaneers allowed a league-low 73.8 rushing yards per game in 2019. The New York Jets finished second, allowing 86.9 rushing yards per game. All of the defensive front’s vital players are returning for the 2020 season.
7. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Technically, Rob Gronkowski is in the final season of a six-year, $54 million deal he signed in 2012. The four-time First-Team All-Pro retired following New England’s victory in Super Bowl LIII, but he returned to football when Tom Brady signed with the Buccaneers. With one year remaining on his deal and plenty of hobbies away from football, Gronkowski could retire for a second time once the 2020 season ends.
There’s also a chance Tampa Bay brings Gronk back on a one-year deal to play with the team during the final year of Brady’s contract. However, injuries and fatigue could also push the 31-year-old tight end back into retirement. Remember, he’s dealt with multiple back surgeries and various other injuries which will affect him for the rest of his life.
During the first nine years of his career, Gronkowski won three Super Bowls and caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.
6. Jason Witten, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Jason Witten retired following the 2017 season. He spent the next year trying to earn a following in the broadcast booth. After failing at his new profession, Witten returned to the Cowboys on a one-year deal. When the two sides didn’t reach a new agreement this offseason, Witten signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Raiders.
At 38 years old, Witten can still contribute. He produced 63 receptions for 529 yards and four touchdowns last season. He won’t hit those numbers with the Raiders considering the team’s dedication to breakout star Darren Waller. However, Witten can at least serve as a reliable second option at tight end.
Witten is fourth all-time in receptions (1,215), 19th in receiving yards (12,977), and 40th in receiving touchdowns (72). Tony Gonzalez is the only tight end with more receptions and yards than Witten.
5. Jason Peters, LT, Free Agent
The only free agent to crack the top-ten, Jason Peters still needs a new home in 2020. It might take until training camp or even until the early weeks of the season, but Peters should sign with a new team. Even at 38 years old, the left tackle can still serve as a decent starter or a reliable rotation player.
Peters originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He signed with the Buffalo Bills and spent five years with the team before joining the Philadelphia Eagles. Overall, Peters racked up nine Pro Bowls, four Second-Team All-Pro selections, a pair of First-Team All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl victory during the first 16 years of his career.
Peters will play football in 2020, but I don’t think he’ll stick around past this season.
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.
2. Greg Olsen, TE, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks signed Greg Olsen to a one-year, $7 million in February. The former Pro Bowler spent the last nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but the team released him as part of an extensive rebuilding process. In Seattle, Olsen pairs with the best quarterback of his career, Russell Wilson. However, the 31st overall pick from 2007 probably won’t stick around once his current contract expires.
A vast world awaits Olsen once he decides to leave football. During Carolina’s bye week last season, Olsen joined a Fox broadcast team to call a game between the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. After the game, Olsen received praise from his partner in the booth, Kenny Albert.
Olsen climbed back into the booth during the XFL’s short-lived comeback and gained even more experience. The 35-year-old also recently recorded a podcast series with Blue Wire called “TE1” where he interviews some of the best tight ends from different eras.
No matter how much he loves football, Olsen seems prepared to walk away from the game and begin a new career. The former Pro Bowler recently signed a deal with Fox Sports to become the network’s No. 2 NFL game analyst when he retires, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand.
1. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Earlier this year, Larry Fitzgerald signed a one-year, $11.5 million deal with the Cardinals. That’s the fourth one-year extension Fitzgerald has signed since the start of 2016, and it’s likely his final NFL contract. Nearing his 37th birthday, Fitzgerald has given Father Time a run for his money, but the future Hall of Famer feels it’s about time to go.
The Cardinals drafted Fitzgerald with the third overall pick in 2004 and watched him grow into the greatest player in franchise history. Besides epitomizing class, Fitzgerald is everything a team could want in a player. He’s adapted to various offenses over the years, improved his blocking ability, and became the franchise’s ambassador.
Fitzgerald ranks second all-time in receptions (1,378) and receiving yards (17,083), trailing only Jerry Rice. Fitzgerald’s 120 receiving touchdowns rank sixth all-time, and he can still add to that total in 2020. Even at his age, Fitzgerald led the Cardinals in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns last season. He’s simply amazing.