Outside linebacker Markus Golden announced his retirement from the National Football League. He played for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers in nine NFL seasons.
The Instagram post about his retirement reads:
”Football has always been more than just a sport to me. I’ve officially retired from the NFL after playing the game I’ve loved all my life. I feel truly blessed to have been able to live out the dreams and goals I set for myself as a kid.”
He also thanked those who helped him throughout his journey, including his NFL teams.
Golden started his pro football career with the Cardinals, the team that selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. During his sophomore year, he had the best season of his career, collecting 12.5 tackles and four forced fumbles.
After playing out his four-year, $3.91 million rookie-scale contract, the edge rusher from Missouri played with the Giants for two seasons. He returned to the Cardinals after the Giants traded him for a 2021 sixth-round selection.
Last year, Golden signed a contract with the Steelers. If not for his sudden retirement at age 33, he should have been included in the 2024 roster. He will finish his career with 51 sacks, 343 tackles, eight passes defended, and 11 forced fumbles in 127 regular season games.
-Lance Fernandez