By John Rigolizzo
Super Bowl Champion cornerback Ronald Darby headlines a list of high-profile NFL retirements.
The Houston Texans placed Darby on the reserve/retired list on June 2. Multiple high-profile players were officially placed on the retired list, including Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead, Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, New England Patriots center David Andrews, and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce.
Darby was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round in 2015. He won a starting job and had a hot start to his career, with 68 total tackles, 21 passes defended, and two interceptions in his rookie season. He had a career-high 69 tackles in 2016, with 12 passes defended.
Darby was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. He played just eight regular-season games, but had 34 total tackles, nine passes defended, and a career-high three interceptions. However, he appeared in all three of the Eagles’ postseason contests, racking up 18 tackles and six pass defenses. He helped lead the Eagles to a 41–33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. He played two more seasons in Philadelphia, appearing in 20 games and racking up 80 tackles, 23 passes defended, and three picks.
He signed with the then-Washington Football Team in 2020 and played the first full season of his career, racking up 55 tackles and 14 pass defenses. He signed with the Denver Broncos in 2021, but injuries limited him to just 16 games in two seasons. He signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and played in 16 games with seven starts. He signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024 and another one-year contract with the Houston Texans in March before announcing his retirement.
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow also announced his retirement on Monday.
“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow wrote in a post on Instagram. “I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my family’s future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I can’t emphasize this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”
Drafted with the 20th overall pick in 2018, Ragnow played all seven seasons of his career with the Lions. According to Pro Football Focus, since 2018, Ragnow was the third-best player in the league at his position in overall grade. He won three Second-Team All-Pro nods and four Pro Bowl selections.
New England Patriots center David Andrews formally announced his retirement at a press conference on Monday.
“This game has given me so much over the last 26 years,” he said in an emotional speech thanking his parents, wife Mackenzie and sons Ford and Worth, coaches, teammates, and players, among others. “I’ve met some amazing people, been places I never imagined, and done things I never dreamed of. [Football] taught me so much about myself and life while letting me get to play a child’s game and call it a job. [It’s] been so good to me and I think I’ve been pretty good to [it] … I wouldn’t change one thing about my 26 years playing this game, but it’s time to say goodbye.”
Andrews signed with the Pats as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played 10 seasons with the team, winning Super Bowls LI and LIII as the starting center. Andrews was released by New England in March and briefly tested free agency before deciding to retire with the Patriots on May 28.
Other names that appeared on the retirement list are five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, who played for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins; defensive end Brandon Graham, who won Super Bowl LII with Darby and Super Bowl LIX this past season; and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce, who famously caught his first career interception in the Ravens’ final regular season game against the Cleveland Browns.
