The Best NFL Players To Retire In 2023 So Far

Every year, the NFL has to say goodbye to some greats. Maybe it's because their bodies aren't in peak condition anymore? Perhaps they're ready to try something else, or they may simply want to leave the sport on a high? Whatever the reason, retirement is inevitable for every football player.

Of course, just because it happens eventually doesn't mean it's not hard to see these guys go. They've contributed so much to the sport over the years that we're not always ready to see the back of them. At least we can still look back at those contributions and remember why they were some of the best players the NFL has ever seen.

Chad Henne is one of the older retirees

If you want to leave the NFL on a high, do what Chad Henne did. On February 12, 2023, he helped the Kansas City Chiefs to victory against the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII. This marked his second Super Bowl victory, the first of which came three years earlier. Following the Chiefs' success, Henne revealed on social media he'd be retiring from the NFL, and who can blame him? At 37, he's already older than many other professional footballers when they stop playing. Even if he had a few years left in him, there's no guarantee his team would make it to the Super Bowl again, let alone win. If retirement was already on his mind, this was absolutely the best time to announce it.

J.J. Watt feels 2023 is the right time to leave the NFL

The New Year hadn't even kicked off before Justin James Watt - better known as J.J. Watt - decided to retire from the NFL. He dedicated more than a decade of his life to playing professional football, spending most of his career with the Houston Texans. His work as a defensive end was almost unparalleled, which is why many consider him one of the sport's greatest defensive linemen. He has the accolades to support that, too, including three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Those were particularly notable as he earned them all within his first five seasons in the NFL. Watts' reportedly felt like now was the "right time" to retire, wanting to do so while people still viewed him as a great player.

A.J. Green announced his retirement on social media

Adriel Jeremiah Green - aka A.J. Green - is another of the best NFL players to retire in 2023. He announced his decision on social media, revealing that he wasn't sure he could mentally cope with playing professionally any longer. Although he felt he could physically handle a few more years, he believed he would be "cheating the game" if his head wasn't in it. Like J.J. Watt, A.J. was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals when he decided to retire. They weren't his primary team throughout his career, though, as he spent his first ten seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. During his time with them, he was picked for seven straight Pro Bowls and was twice a second-team All-Pro. He ultimately finished his career with 727 receptions, 10,514 receiving yards, and 70 receiving touchdowns.

Rodney Hudson was forced to retire due to injury

There must be something in the water in Arizona because here is yet another of their players allegedly set to leave this year. Technically, Hudson's retirement hasn't been confirmed by the man himself. However, there's strong indication that he'll be bowing out imminently. The fact he's reduced his salary and has hardly played for the Cardinals across multiple seasons indicates that he's likely on the way out. It's a disappointing way to go for someone with three Pro Bowls and who is considered one of the better centers in the sport. Unfortunately, due to a knee injury, there's not much that he can do for the Cardinals or any other team. As Hudson had previously contemplated retirement during the offseason, a departure now definitely seems inevitable.

Tom Brady has announced yet another retirement

Does anyone else feel like they've been here before? A year ago, Tom Brady announced that he would be ending his football career, only to do a u-turn weeks later. So, when he revealed his retirement again in February 2023, some fans weren't willing to believe it. However, Brady is serious this time, not even willing to cancel his retirement for one day so that he can leave the NFL as a New England Patriot. Despite the jokes around his departure, it's still sad to see Brady finally step down. He won seven Super Bowls during his career - more than any other - and helped the Patriots score 17 division titles. Easily one of the best quarterbacks the sport has ever seen, he leaves behind quite a hole in the NFL.

Football won't quite be the same without any of these greats around. However, players come and go all the time, and there will undoubtedly be new stars who take their place before long. No matter what, though, the careers of these men will not be forgotten.