The end is always just right around the corner. This off-season we’ve said goodbye to the likes of Troy Polamalu and Patrick Willis, while second-year linebacker Chris Borland even decided to hang’em up. That just goes to show that retirement is always an option and one that isn’t quite as far in the future as we tend to think. That’s especially the case with some of the NFL’s older stars, as each year brings another chance for them to call it a career.
Who mails it in after the 2015 NFL season? We can’t know for sure, but these 10 stars just might be ready to ride off into the sunset:
Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos
Manning was supposedly already thinking about whether or not he wanted to return for the 2015 season, so he may have one foot out the door. The 39-year old legend probably would like to pad his stats and go out on top with a second Super Bowl win, but this season could easily be his last, regardless of how his final game of the year goes.
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
Rivers is an interesting case, as he’s refusing to extend his contract with the Chargers due to a lack of desire of playing in Los Angeles (where the franchise may move the team). It’s not known whether or not he’ll change his mind or what his actual motives are, but any uncertainty has to be paid attention to. Some think he’ll get traded, while others think he could just play out his final year in San Diego and call it a career. At just 33 years old, Rivers would be walking away from the game still in his prime.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch is another peculiar case, as he’s very much in his prime and has helped the Seahawks reach back to back Super Bowls. In fact, he’s been a dominant force for basically his entire stay in Seattle and had the ‘Hawks given him the ball on the game’s final fatal play, he may have pushed them to their second straight Lombardi Trophy. Lynch isn’t necessarily old, but he’s an odd personality that is extremely tough to gauge and there have been whispers of him considering retiring in the past. If Seattle won another Super Bowl would he finally be ready to walk away at age 29? He’d still arguably be in his prime, but he’d leave the game on top, ala Barry Sanders.
Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Gore is quite a rarity, as he’ll enter 2015 as Indy’s feature back despite being 31 years old. Despite never truly looking to be on his last legs with the 49ers, Gore is obviously getting up there in age for an NFL running back and could be entering his career’s final stanza. Whether he wants to quit or not, a bad 2015 showing could mark the end of the road for the ageless wonder.
Steve Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Everyone seemed to think Smith was washed up after a down 2014 season, but it turns out all the soon-to-be 36-year old needed was a change of scenery. Smith signed with the Ravens last off-season and started the year as one of the league’s hottest receivers. He even finished in style, totaling 79 receptions, 1,065 yards and six scores. Smith looked plenty quick and athletic a year ago, but another NFL season could easily break him down. Going into 2016 at 37 years old, it’s possible he could call it quits.
Andre Johnson, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Johnson might be in a similar situation as Smith was, as he seemed to be being phased out of the offense in Houston, but could emerge as a dangerous weapon in Indy. However, even if Johnson enjoys a successful debut season with the Colts, the end could be near. Johnson will turn 35 before the 2016 season and has already visibly lost some speed and explosiveness. If he regresses further in 2015, he may not fulfill the three-year deal he signed with the Colts.
Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
Gates could have a few good reasons to make 2015 his last NFL season. He’s already going to be 35 when the new season starts, his quarterback (Rivers) may not stick around for long and the guy behind him, LaDarius Green, continues to threaten to unseat him from his starting role. Gates looked about as good as ever in 2014, but constant foot issues could be another reason why he ultimately decides against playing beyond this season.
Charles Woodson, S, Oakland Raiders
Woodson looks like an easy retirement call at first glance, but he keeps trucking along at age 38. Woodson is somehow still a decent safety for a rising Raiders defense, but time is certainly running out on his career. Woodson’s current deal is only for one year and he’ll turn 39 during the 2015 season. If this isn’t his last year in the league, it’d be quite a surprise.
Jared Allen, DE/OLB, Chicago Bears
Allen spent 2014 with the Chicago Bears after bleeding purple with the Minnesota Vikings for six years and seemed to regress in his new city. Allen apparently dealt with a herniated disc, however, and at 32 years old was still able to rack up six sacks in his first season with his new team. While his debut season with the Bears wasn’t all bad, he’s now 33 and learning a brand new position as an edge rusher on the outside of Chicago’s new 3-4 system.
The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” could ring true here if the aging Allen can’t transition successfully to the new defense. If that ends up being the case, he’d enter 2016 going on 34 and seemingly running out of gas. By that point, would Allen try to prove he still has gas left in the tank or just call it a career?
Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Smith might be the easiest call on this last, as he’s literally contemplating retiring as we speak. In other words, if he does in fact suit up for the 2015 season, there’s a pretty good chance it will be his last. The same probably goes for the likes of Reggie Wayne or Wes Welker if someone signs them, as well.
Did we miss someone or listed someone that you don’t think will be retiring anytime soon? Let us hear it in the comments below!
