50+ NFL Stars Retiring In 2022, Ranked by Fans

The 2022 NFL offseason didn’t just shuffle depth charts – it pretty much felt like an
entire era quietly packed up its locker, grabbed a to-go Gatorade, and headed out the
tunnel one last time. Quarterbacks who carried franchises, linemen who lived in the
trenches, and Super Bowl heroes all called it a career. According to tracking from
outlets like Sportskeeda, more than 60 NFL players officially retired in 2022, including
multiple Pro Bowlers and future Hall of Famers.

To make sense of that emotional wave, we’re taking a fan-centric look back at 50+ of the
most notable NFL stars who retired in 2022 – loosely ranked by how big their impact felt
to fans. This isn’t a strict stat-based formula. It’s a mix of accolades, longevity,
playoff memories, fantasy-football legend status, and the all-important “my group chat
wouldn’t shut up about this retirement” factor.

How This Fan Ranking Works

Before we start, a quick note. Different outlets track retirements in slightly different
ways. Some players already hadn’t played for a year or two but only made it official in
2022. Others signed symbolic one-day contracts so they could retire with the team that
defined their careers, like Frank Gore with the 49ers or various legends before him.

Our ranking leans on:

• Fan voting and traffic on lists like Ranker’s “Best NFL Players Who Retired in 2022”
• Coverage and reaction on major sports sites (NFL.com, ESPN, team sites)
• Legacy: awards, Super Bowls, records, and cultural impact

Tier 1: Franchise Icons and Future Hall of Famers

1. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

For Steelers fans, 2022 will always be “the year Ben retired.” After 18 seasons,
two Super Bowl rings, and a career spent entirely in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger
announced his retirement in January 2022.
He leaves as one of the most productive passers in NFL history, with over 64,000 passing
yards and a reputation for playing through contact that would make most humans call HR.

Fans tend to rank Big Ben near the top because of his clutch playoff performances,
the 2000s rivalry wars in the AFC, and the fact that for nearly two decades,
Pittsburgh never had to wonder who its quarterback was. His farewell at Heinz Field,
walking off with tears in his eyes, felt like the end of a very long, very loud chapter
of Steelers football.

2. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots / Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rob Gronkowski technically had already “retired” once, but in June 2022 he did it again,
this time after an 11-year run and four Super Bowl titles with the Patriots and Bucs.
Gronk is one of the rare players whose personality is as legendary as his stat line:
92 receiving touchdowns in the regular season plus a highlight reel of playoff spikes
and broken tackles.

Fans rank Gronk this high because he was appointment television. Whether he was
truck-sticking defenders, lining up as an extra tackle, or hijacking a parade mic
while holding a Lombardi Trophy, he made football fun. Even after retirement, he’s
stayed visible as a TV analyst and pop-culture figure, which only cements his spot at
the top of any 2022 retirement list.

3. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers (and friends)

Frank Gore is the running back version of a classic truck: not always flashy, but
absolutely indestructible. In 2022, he signed a one-day contract to retire with the
San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted him and where he became a franchise legend.

Gore finished his career with exactly 16,000 rushing yards – third on the NFL’s all-time
list behind only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton.
Fans love him not just for the numbers, but for the way he got them: year after year,
dragging defenses into winter and never going away. For many, his retirement felt like
the end of the “workhorse back” era.

4. Andrew Whitworth, LT, Cincinnati Bengals / Los Angeles Rams

Andrew Whitworth retired after the 2021 season but officially confirmed his decision
in 2022, leaving as a Super Bowl–winning left tackle for the Rams and one of the best
offensive linemen of his generation. He played 16 seasons, earned four Pro Bowls and
multiple All-Pro nods, and won Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2021 for his community
work in Los Angeles and Cincinnati.

Fans often rank Whitworth highly even if linemen rarely grab headlines, because he
represents everything people say they want from NFL stars: leadership, durability, and
an almost unfair ability to neutralize elite pass rushers at age 40.

5. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, The Entire NFL Basically

“FitzMagic” finally became “FitzRetired” in June 2022. After 17 NFL seasons and starts
for nine different teams, Ryan Fitzpatrick called it a career and moved into the broadcast
booth for Amazon’s Thursday Night Football coverage.

Fitzpatrick ranks high not just on stats but on vibes. Fans adored him for the wild
beard, unbuttoned shirts, YOLO deep balls, and random weeks where he turned into prime
Joe Montana out of nowhere. If you ever had him on your fantasy roster during one of
those explosion games, his retirement in 2022 felt like losing a chaotic but lovable
roommate.

6. Malcolm Jenkins, S, New Orleans Saints / Philadelphia Eagles

Malcolm Jenkins announced his retirement in March 2022 after 13 seasons, three Pro Bowls,
and a vital role in the Eagles’ first Super Bowl win.
Jenkins was more than a safety; he was basically a defensive Swiss Army knife, capable of
playing deep, in the slot, or near the box while also serving as a tone-setter in the
locker room.

Fans also rank him highly because of his leadership off the field. His work with social
justice initiatives and community projects made him a respected voice around the league,
and his retirement felt like a loss of one of football’s most thoughtful elder statesmen.

7. Ali Marpet, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On paper, Ali Marpet’s retirement at age 28 was one of the biggest surprises of the 2022
offseason. A Pro Bowl guard for the Bucs and a key piece of their Super Bowl LV run,
Marpet walked away citing long-term health.

Fans put Marpet near the top because his story is so unusual: a Division III standout
from Hobart College who became a second-round pick, then a premier NFL lineman protecting
Tom Brady. His early exit sparked a lot of conversations about player wellness and the
reality that even stars in their prime are starting to think beyond the next contract.

8. Brandon Brooks, G, Houston Texans / Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Brooks officially retired in January 2022 after a dominant but injury-plagued
decade, much of it spent anchoring the Eagles’ offensive line.
At his peak, Brooks was one of the best guards in the league, earning three Pro Bowl
nods and helping Philadelphia win Super Bowl LII.

Fans rank Brooks highly not just for his power in the run game but for his openness
about mental health. He talked publicly about anxiety and how it affected his career,
giving many fans a reason to cheer for him beyond what happened on Sundays.

9. Alex Mack, C, Cleveland Browns / Atlanta Falcons / San Francisco 49ers

Alex Mack, a seven-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, announced
his retirement in June 2022 after 13 seasons.
For years, he was the steady heartbeat in the middle of some of the NFL’s best offenses,
from early-career days in Cleveland to his Super Bowl run with the Falcons.

Centers rarely get fanfare, but if you watched a lot of zone-running offenses or studied
line play, Mack’s retirement felt like the end of an era of big-brain, technically
brilliant centers who could quarterback the line as well as any signal-caller.

10. Danny Amendola, WR, “Playoff Danny” for the Patriots (and more)

Danny Amendola officially retired in July 2022 after 13 seasons with the Rams, Patriots,
Dolphins, Lions, and Texans.
On paper, his career totals don’t scream “superstar,” but anyone who watched the
Patriots’ playoff runs in the 2010s knows why fans rank him this high.

Amendola routinely turned into Tom Brady’s security blanket in big moments, making
clutch catches in AFC Championship games and Super Bowls. New England fans still talk
about him with the kind of affection normally reserved for childhood pets and favorite
coffee orders.

Tier 2: Fan Favorites, Super Bowl Heroes, and Cult Legends

11. Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles officially announced his retirement in October 2022, ending an eight-season
career that peaked with the Jaguars’ surprise run to the AFC Championship Game in the
2017 season.
Stat heads may debate his efficiency forever, but fans remember the chaos: wild comebacks,
meme-worthy quotes, and a playoff run where Jacksonville almost took down the Patriots.

12. Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins / Philadelphia Eagles

London-born running back Jay Ajayi officially retired in January 2022, serving as an
honorary captain for the Eagles in their regular-season finale.
Injuries cut his career short, but at his peak he was electric, ripping off multiple
200-yard games for Miami and helping Philadelphia win Super Bowl LII.

13. Jason McCourty, CB, Titans / Browns / Patriots / Dolphins

Jason McCourty announced his retirement in July 2022 after 13 seasons, highlighted by a
Super Bowl win with the Patriots in which he made one of the game’s biggest defensive
plays – a sprawling pass breakup in the end zone against the Rams.

14. Clay Matthews III, LB, Green Bay Packers

While Clay Matthews hadn’t played since 2019, he was widely grouped with the 2022
retirement class as it became clear he was officially done. Lists of 2022 retirees
frequently include him near the top, thanks to his six Pro Bowls and role in the
Packers’ Super Bowl XLV title.

15. Stephon Tuitt, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers

Stephon Tuitt retired in 2022 after eight seasons with the Steelers, where he was a
disruptive interior force when healthy. His decision came after injuries and personal
tragedy, and it hit Steelers fans hard because they knew how much potential he had when
he was on the field.

16–25. More Notable Names in the 2022 Retirement Wave

Rounding out the top 25, fan lists and retirement roundups often highlight:

• Kiko Alonso, LB – A tackling machine and fan favorite in multiple cities
• Beau Allen, DT – Super Bowl champ with the Eagles
• Ricardo Allen, DB – Versatile defender and locker-room leader
• Jayrone Elliott, LB – Depth piece and special-teams standout
• Joe Haden, CB – While his “official” retirement timing varies, many fans link his exit to the 2022 wave
• Linebackers and role players from the Sportskeeda list of 66 retirements

That Sportskeeda rundown underscores just how deep the 2022 class really was, listing
66 players who called it a career that year – from Pro Bowlers to journeyman special
teamers who did the unglamorous work every Sunday.

Tier 3: Role Players, Specialists, and Quiet Glue Guys (26–50+)

Once you get past the headline names, the 2022 retirement class is full of players whose
names may not trend on social media but whose contributions are obvious to hardcore fans
and coaches:

• Veteran offensive linemen who started 80–100 games but rarely got their names called unless there was a penalty.
• Special-team aces who spent a decade sprinting down the field on kick coverage so the stars didn’t have to.
• Rotational pass rushers and nickel corners who made the modern, pass-heavy NFL function.

Many of those players show up on aggregated retirement lists from databases and fan
sites like StatMuse, the NFL’s retired-player directory, and season-long roster
movement trackers.
They may not always get individual tributes, but for fans of specific teams, losing a
dependable backup tight end or long snapper who’d been around for years can feel just as
jarring as losing a star.

What 2022’s Retirements Told Us About the Modern NFL

Looking at the 2022 class as a whole, a few themes jump out:

• Longevity vs. health: Veterans like Gore and Whitworth showed that
  long careers are still possible, but younger stars like Ali Marpet highlighted a new
  willingness to prioritize long-term health over squeezing out a few more seasons.
• Versatility is king: Jenkins, Amendola, and others built long careers
  by doing a bit of everything – covering multiple positions, playing special teams, or
  thriving in multiple offensive systems.
• Off-field roles matter more than ever: Many 2022 retirees moved
  quickly into media (Fitzpatrick, Gronkowski), business (Brooks), or community work
  (Jenkins), reflecting how modern players build platforms beyond football.

For fans, 2022 felt like one of those years where you catch yourself saying, “Wait, he’s
gone too?” over and over. A lot of the faces that defined the 2010s NFL slowly faded
from the field and popped up instead in suits on pregame shows, in business-school
classrooms, or on the sideline as coaches.

Extra Deep Dive: Fan Experiences of the 2022 Retirement Class

You can’t really talk about “50+ NFL stars retiring in 2022” without talking about what
it felt like as a fan. The numbers and awards are impressive, but the emotional impact
is what sticks.

Seeing Your Childhood Era End in Real Time

For a lot of fans, Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement was the “wow, I’m getting old”
moment. If you grew up in the 2000s or early 2010s, Big Ben, Brady, Manning, Brees, and
Rodgers formed the quarterback landscape. Watching those names disappear one by one
reshapes how you think about the league. When Roethlisberger posted his retirement video
and walked off Heinz Field waving to the crowd, you weren’t just watching a player leave
– you were watching a football era quietly close.

The same feeling applied when linemen like Whitworth, Mack, Marpet, and Brooks stepped
away. They weren’t as front-and-center as quarterbacks, but they were constants. You’d
flip on a Rams, Browns, Falcons, Bucs, or Eagles game and see the same names anchoring
the line year after year. When they left, it suddenly made offensive lines feel a lot
less familiar.

The “Wait, He’s Retiring Already?” Reactions

Then there were the players whose retirements felt fast. Ali Marpet retiring
at 28 threw a lot of fans off. Here was a Pro Bowl guard who had just helped protect Tom
Brady during a Super Bowl run, and suddenly he was done, citing health and long-term
quality of life.

Similarly, Jay Ajayi’s official retirement came at just 28 after injuries derailed what
once looked like a star trajectory.
Fans were reminded that NFL careers aren’t just about talent; they’re about timing,
health, and sometimes sheer luck. Those retirements sparked a lot of online discussion
about how quickly a promising career can change.

Living Through the Meme Eras

Some of the 2022 retirees are legends not just for their play, but for the meme culture
they generated. Fitzpatrick’s “FitzMagic” explosions – where he’d suddenly turn into an
MVP for three weeks – created an entire genre of social-media posts and fantasy-football
heartbreak.

Blake Bortles, meanwhile, became the face of a chaotic but strangely lovable Jaguars era.
Whether it was his playoff run in the 2017 season, his cult status on the “Pardon My
Take” podcast, or Jaguars fans ironically (and then sincerely) defending him, his
retirement led to one of the most bizarrely sentimental waves of Twitter posts you’ll
ever see about a quarterback with a career completion percentage under 60%.

Realizing How Many Ways a Career Can Succeed

Looking across the 50+ names, another fan takeaway is that there’s no one way to “make
it” in the NFL. Frank Gore carved out 16 seasons and climbed to third on the all-time
rushing list through durability and consistency.
Jay Ajayi burned bright for a short stretch and left with a Super Bowl ring and Pro Bowl
on his résumé. Danny Amendola was never the WR1 on paper but turned into a playoff hero
fans will never forget.

For fans, that diversity of paths actually makes the 2022 retirement class inspiring.
Not everyone was a five-time All-Pro. Some were grinders, some were late bloomers, and
some shifted to entirely new careers – financial services, broadcasting, philanthropy –
almost overnight.

The New Relationship Between Fans and Retired Players

One more thing that stands out about the 2022 class is how little it actually feels like
“goodbye.” With social media, podcasts, and TV roles, many of these players are more
visible now than they were in the middle of their careers. Fitzpatrick on Thursday
nights, Gronkowski in a studio, Jenkins working in media and activism – they’re still
part of the weekly NFL conversation, just in different roles.

So when fans talk about “50+ NFL stars retiring in 2022,” what they’re really talking
about is a massive reshuffling of where their favorite personalities live in the sport.
Instead of lining up under center or in the slot, they’re drawing routes on touchscreens
and breaking down coverages. The jerseys may be hanging in a closet somewhere, but for
many of these players, their connection to fans is just evolving rather than ending.

Conclusion: A Class That Closed One Era and Opened Another

The 2022 retirement class was unusually loaded: franchise quarterbacks, Hall-of-Fame
caliber linemen, Super Bowl heroes, and cult legends all stepped away around the same
time. Fan-driven rankings naturally push the biggest names – Roethlisberger, Gronkowski,
Gore, Whitworth, Fitzpatrick – to the top, but the full list of 50+ stars reminds us how
many different ways you can leave a mark on the NFL.

Whether you remember 2022 for a tearful farewell in Pittsburgh, a surprise Instagram
retirement from a Pro Bowl guard, or just the realization that your favorite “background”
player finally called it a career, one thing’s clear: this class helped define the NFL
you grew up watching. Now they’re helping redefine what life after football looks like.