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Former Green Bay Packers tackle Yosh Nijman joined a growing list of players opting for early retirement from the NFL, announcing he was hanging up his cleats at age 30.
Nijman spent five seasons with the Packers and first saw the field in the 2020 season. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and started his career on the Green Bay practice squad. He played 67 games over four seasons, with 21 starts, and then joined the Carolina Panthers on a two-year deal, finishing that tenure with 32 games played and seven starts.
He filled in for injured Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle during Carolina's playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams after the 2025 season, then entered free agency.
Nijman posted the news to Instagram without offering more insight into why he wanted to step away at a perceptively early age.
"I’m grateful for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level," Nijman wrote. "From my college days at Virginia Tech, where I grew as both a player and a man, to living out my dream in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers, every moment has shaped who I am today."
Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, fresh off a standout season, announced his retirement at age 27 March 4. Minnesota Vikings four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, 32, announced his retirement March 6. Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow retired at age 29 prior to the 2025 season, then tried to make a comeback that was derailed by a failed physical.
Higher-profile instances of young retirees include former University of Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland, who retired after one NFL season in 2014, and Andrew Luck, the star Indianapolis Colts quarterback who retired before the 2019 season at age 29.
Another former Panthers player, Luke Kuechly, was just inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 34. He retired at age 28 after the 2020 season.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Packers tackle Yosh Nijman announces NFL retirement at age 30
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Nijman spent five seasons with the Packers and first saw the field in the 2020 season. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and started his career on the Green Bay practice squad. He played 67 games over four seasons, with 21 starts, and then joined the Carolina Panthers on a two-year deal, finishing that tenure with 32 games played and seven starts.
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He filled in for injured Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle during Carolina's playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams after the 2025 season, then entered free agency.
Nijman posted the news to Instagram without offering more insight into why he wanted to step away at a perceptively early age.
"I’m grateful for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level," Nijman wrote. "From my college days at Virginia Tech, where I grew as both a player and a man, to living out my dream in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers, every moment has shaped who I am today."
Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, fresh off a standout season, announced his retirement at age 27 March 4. Minnesota Vikings four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, 32, announced his retirement March 6. Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow retired at age 29 prior to the 2025 season, then tried to make a comeback that was derailed by a failed physical.
Higher-profile instances of young retirees include former University of Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland, who retired after one NFL season in 2014, and Andrew Luck, the star Indianapolis Colts quarterback who retired before the 2019 season at age 29.
Another former Panthers player, Luke Kuechly, was just inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 34. He retired at age 28 after the 2020 season.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Packers tackle Yosh Nijman announces NFL retirement at age 30
Continue reading...
