The 2026 NFL season is almost here, but several familiar names will not be on the field when the regular season begins. A group of veterans have decided to walk away after long careers, with some making the call during the offseason and others stepping away only weeks before kickoff.The list features Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl champions and longtime starters. Darius Slay and Stephon Gilmore headline the veteran group, while Teddy Bridgewater, Kendall Lamm and Sam Webb are among the more recent players to make their decisions during the summer. Here are 10 notable NFL players who retired before the 2026 season.
NFL 2026 retirement list: Who are the 10 notable names to retire?
| S.No | Player Names | Position | Retirement Month | Career Highlights |
| 1 | Darius Slay | CB | March | 6-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion |
| 2 | Lavonte David | LB | March | Super Bowl champion, 14-year Buccaneers veteran |
| 3 | Stephon Gilmore | CB | April | 5-time Pro Bowler, 2019 DPOY |
| 4 | Ryan Kelly | C | March | 4-time Pro Bowler |
| 5 | T.Y. Hilton | WR | April | 4-time pro bowler |
| 6 | Justin Simmons | S | April | 2-time Pro Bowler |
| 7 | Nathan Peterman | QB | June | 2-time Pro Bowler, 4-time All-Pro |
| 8 | Teddy Bridgewater | QB | August | 7-year NFL veteran |
| 9 | Kendall Lamm | OT | August | 11-year NFL veteran |
| 10 | Sam Webb | CB | August | Most recent retirement |
1. Darius Slay
Darius Slay was one of the biggest names to retire during the 2026 offseason. The six-time Pro Bowl cornerback announced his retirement on March 16 after 13 NFL seasons. Slay finished his career with 28 interceptions and won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.At 35, Slay chose to move on rather than continue searching for another opportunity. His retirement ended one of the better cornerback careers of his generation.
2. Lavonte David
Lavonte David retired in March after 14 seasons, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran linebacker became one of the most respected players in franchise history and helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV. David finished his career with 1,714 tackles. His departure leaves Tampa Bay without one of the most consistent defensive leaders of the past decade.
3. Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement on April 2 after 13 seasons. The cornerback earned five Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro honors and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award. Gilmore also won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He finished with 32 interceptions and 149 passes defended.
4. Ryan Kelly
Ryan Kelly retired after a decade in the NFL. The center earned four Pro Bowl selections during his career and spent most of his time with the Indianapolis Colts before finishing with the Minnesota Vikings.Kelly was one of the league’s most dependable interior offensive linemen for much of his career. His retirement brings an end to a 10-year run.
5. T.Y. Hilton
T.Y. Hilton officially retired in March after 11 NFL seasons. The longtime Indianapolis Colts receiver made four Pro Bowls and finished his career among the franchise’s leaders in receptions and receiving yards. Hilton had already begun his next chapter away from the NFL, moving into high school coaching at his alma mater in Florida.
6. Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons also decided to leave the game after a long career. The safety spent most of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos and became one of the league’s most productive defensive backs. Simmons finished his career with more than 600 tackles and 31 interceptions. He also earned two Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors.
7. Nathan Peterman
Nathan Peterman retired in June after seven NFL seasons. The quarterback entered the league with Buffalo in 2017 and later spent time with the Raiders, Bears and other teams.Peterman’s retirement is also a career transition. He moved toward becoming an NFL player agent, allowing him to remain involved in the league from a different position.
8. Teddy Bridgewater
Teddy Bridgewater became one of the latest recognizable players to step away. The Detroit Lions placed the veteran quarterback on the reserve/retired list in August after he decided to leave playing behind. Bridgewater had previously stepped away from playing to coach high school football in Florida before returning to the NFL. His latest decision again points toward his coaching career.
9. Kendall Lamm
Kendall Lamm’s retirement was one of the more surprising developments of training camp. The offensive tackle had signed with the Baltimore Ravens in early August but was placed on the reserve/retired list on Aug. 14.Lamm played 11 seasons in the NFL and spent time with the Texans, Browns, Titans and Dolphins. He had only recently joined Baltimore before deciding his playing career was over.
10. Sam Webb
Sam Webb is the most recent player on this list. The cornerback retired on Aug. 16 after signing with the New York Giants only days earlier. Webb had participated in one practice and one preseason game before making the decision. His retirement came just weeks before the regular season, making him one of the latest veterans to leave the NFL before the 2026 campaign.Ceyair Wright is not included because he has not officially retired. The Cincinnati Bengals cornerback stepped away from football to pursue an acting opportunity and was placed on the Exempt/Left Squad list instead.