pAs the 2025 season concludes in PML, we take a look at some of the veterans who have decided to hang up their cleats. So in their prime, some maybe over the hill, but at the end of the day all deserving of their flowers as they leave the game of football behind. We memorialize them here.p
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Travis Kelce – TE, Kansas City Chiefs: After 13 seasons in the NFL the TE #1 in many fans minds has decided to call it a career. With numerous pro bowl appearances Kelce leaves the league as the #1 TE of all time in receptions, yards, and TD’s. A lynchpin in the Chiefs many Super Bowl appearances, and Pat Mahomes most notable target, this dog will surely be missed and in 5 years he’ll be a first ballot bust in Canton no doubt.
Matthew Stafford – QB, Los Angeles Rams: It’s not easy being a #1 pick at QB coming into the NFL. A young gun slinger out of Georgia Stafford entered the league highly touted and not once did he dissapoint. After many years struggling in Detroit Stafford regularly put up league leading numbers with receiving targets like Megatron Calvin Williams and current Lions coach Dan Campbell to name a few. However it wasn’t until a switch late in his career to Los Angeles that saw Stafford achieve the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl with the likes of Cooper Kupp and Todd Gurley as running mates in his offense. He leaves the league after 17 years and it is without a doubt that we’ll see him enshrined in Canton 5 years from now.
Cooper Kupp – WR, Seattle Seahawks: Only one other wide receiver has won the NFL’s triple crown, leading the league in Receptions, Touchdowns, Yards, and his name was Jerry Rice. In 7 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams Cupp established himself as one of the leagues top receiving threats. When the Rams acquired Matthew Stafford, Cupp was really able to fully display his talents, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory and winning MVP. Traded to Seattle a couple seasons prior to his retirement Cupp wasn’t able to quite capture the success he’d experienced in LA. He leaves the game as one of the best to ever do it and we will assuredly see his bust in Canton sometime down the road.
Aaron Rodgers – QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Montana, Brady, Rodgers, when the discussion is best quarterback you’ve witnessed in your lifetime, these three names are the ones that can’t be argued against. It’s a travesty that after 17 years in Green Bay the Packers and Rodgers only produced 1 title. When it comes to fluidity in the pocket, arm strength, accuracy, and escape ability, no one had all the tools that Rodgers possessed. He bounced around the league his final few years, marred by injury and coaching decisions but he leaves the game as one of the greatest to ever do it. After 21 years Rodgers has earned his day in the sunshine, see you a few years from now in Canton, champ.
Von Miller – Edge Rusher, Washington Commanders: After 15 seasons Von Miller is hanging up his cleats. One of the leagues most dominant pass rushers for over a decade, Von has been the lynchpin on many of defenses in his career. A perennial pro-bowler Von is most known for his time with the Denver Broncos, playing alongside the likes of Demarcus Ware they wreaked havoc on their way to a NFL championship victory against the Carolina Panthers in 2016. He leaves the game as a top 10 leading sacker and will undoubtedly be greeting us in Canton a few years from now.
Chris Jones – DT, Kansas City Chiefs: Few names are synonymous with wrecking an offensive gameplan from the inside. Aaron Donald, and Chris Jones are the ones everyone will remember from this era. Jones has been an anchor in defensive coordinator Spagnuolos scheme over the past 7 years of the Chiefs championship run. After 10 years he decided to leave the game on top, finishing his career as the Chiefs leader in Sacks and Tackles for loss. With a DOPY award under his belt for the 2023 season Jones will most likely be enshrined in Canton a few years from now.
Lane Johnson, RT, Philadelphia Eagles: As his partner in the trenches, Jason Kelce departed the league after a championship run in Philly, Lane Johnson has decided that he will also leave the game on top after 13 years. He dominated his Qb’s blindside for almost all 13 of those years as a recognized pro bowler and all pro at the RT position. From McNabb, to Vick, Wentz, Foles, up to Hurtz, big game Lane kept them all safe. Few RT in history have had a more notable run and in 5 years we will see Lane delivering his acceptance speech in Canton.
Stephon Gilmore, CB, Houston Texans: Very few CB’s get the moniker of lock down, Gilmore was one of them. In his years playing for Bill Belichek in New England, Gilmore was recognized as DOPY on defenses that helped Tom Brady secure some of his 7 NFL championships. Although he bounced around the league these last few season, Gilmore never lost his effectiveness and remained one of those players Qb’s had to identify his placement on the field pre-snap. Hanging them up after 13 years, we look forward to seeing him in Canton one day.
Deandre Hopkins – WR, Baltimore Ravens: After 13 years, despite never winning a championship, Hopkins has called it a career. For several years being the face of the Texans franchise alongside Deshaun Watson, Hopkins established himself as one of the leagues biggest deep threats. A perennial pro bowlers and all pro, he left the Texans in 2020 to search for an opportunity to win a championship. He fell short alongside Pat Mahomes against the Eagles, and once again fell short in 2 seasons with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Despite never winning the big game Hopkins will still be remember as one of the best to ever do it and we will for sure see him enshrined one day in Canton.
Cameron Heyward – DT, Pittsburgh Steelers: When you think about the steel curtain memories of fierce front 7’s from times past are conjured up. For the past 15 years Cam Heyward was that blockage in the middle of the Steelers front 7, operating out of the 3 technique. He was the undersized, over powered, quick atheltic DT on the scene before Aaron Donald arrived. While the Edge rushers get most of the notoriety, those that know ball recognize the significant contributions that Heyward has made over the year. Present for two of the Steelers most recent Championships, this Pro Bowler and All-Pro is one of the faces that will be welcomed on the walls of Canton.
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pHonorable Mentions: Levonte David, MLB – Buccaneers, Trent Williams, LT – 49ers, Jadeveon Clowney, Edge – Texans, Harrison Smith, FS – Vikings, Leonard Williams, DT – Seahawks, Taysom HIll, TE, Demario Davis, MLB, Cameron Jordan, Ledge – Saints, Joel Bitonio, LG – Browns, Calais Campbell, DT – Cardinals, Bobby Wagner, MLB, Zach Ertz, TE – Commanders.p
