Wide receiver DeVante Parker announced his retirement after nine seasons with the National Football League. He revealed his intention through ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Parker said being with his family more prompted him to call it a career. He shared with Schefter:
" I want to see my kids and spend quality time with them. I want to be there for them whenever I can."
Parker retired two months after signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles expected him to provide additional yards and depth behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
The Miami Dolphins selected Parker in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. Before entering the NFL, he was a 2013 First Team All-American Athletic Conference member with the Louisville Cardinals. He played seven years with the Dolphins, and his best year occurred in 2019 (72 receptions, 1,202 yards, nine touchdowns)
After nine NFL seasons, Eagles WR DeVante Parker has decided to retire, he said Monday night.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2024
As much as he looked forward to his time with the Eagles, Parker decided the time had come to spend more time with his family that includes his four children.
“I want to see my kids,… pic.twitter.com/enakIQc4LT
During the 2022 offseason, the Dolphins traded Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots. In return, Miami received a 2023 third-round selection. After finishing the 2022 season with 539 yards and three touchdowns, he signed a contract extension with the Patriots.
However, Parker finished the 2023 season with 33 receptions for 394 yards and zero touchdowns. It's the first time he didn't score a touchdown in a season.
The 31-year-old wideout has 369 receptions for 5,266 yards and 27 touchdowns. Parker would take some time off before deciding on what to do post-football. Spotrac estimates that Parker earned $54.1 million in nine NFL seasons.
-Lance Fernandez