The NFL offseason is not only a time for new beginnings but also a time when veteran players decide to call it a career. Few sports are as physically punishing as football, and while announcing retirement isn't easy, stepping away from the game is often in an aging player's best interest if they want to experience a pain-free future.
Philadelphia Eagles fans aren't new to big-time NFL retirements. It was only last month when beloved pass rusher Brandon Graham announced his retirement, nearly one year after fan-favorite blocker Jason Kelce decided to hang up his cleats for good.
As it turns out, another ex-Eagles player just revealed that they're also walking away from the league this offseason.
Former Eagles WR Julio Jones Announces NFL Retirement
On Friday, the long-time wide receiver Julio Jones announced his football retirement following 13 seasons in the league. The seven-time Pro Bowl WR played with four different franchises throughout his memorable career, including a one-year run with the Eagles.
Julio Jones has announced his retirement after 13 seasons. pic.twitter.com/zqzAvUvazH
— NFL (@NFL) April 4, 2025
Jones, 36, was one of the NFL's best receivers throughout the 2010s. A former 2011 Atlanta Falcons first-round pick, the Foley, AL native terrorized opposing defenses to the tune of 848 catches for 12,896 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns in his first 10 seasons, picking up each of his Pro Bowl nominations and five All-Pro nods (2 first-team) along the way.
Jones' time with the Falcons ended after that run, resulting in uninspiring stints with the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Eagles in 2023. Unfortunately, the former Alabama WR's time in Philadelphia was largely forgettable as he posted an 11-74-3 stat line in 11 appearances after joining the active roster in November.
Much to his dismay, Jones didn't play in the NFL after his Eagles stint. He suffered a concussion when he was hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum during the 2023 NFC Wild Card Round, which likely played a big role in the former's inability to find a job.
Hopefully, Jones won't deal with any health issues moving forward so he can enjoy a pain-free retirement. The former Eagle ends his career highly among the NFL's all-time receiving leaders in catches (914, 27th) and receiving yards (13,703, 16th), while his 66 TD grabs are tied for the 61st-most.
Even though Jones' time in Philadelphia was forgettable, fans who cheered him on for 13 years won't forget about his career anytime soon, and the Eagles fanbase isn't an exception.