DeVante Parker Announces Retirement from NFL

DeVante Parker has played his final down.

The veteran wide receiver announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after nine seasons, including the previous two with the New England Patriots.

“I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them,” Parker, 31, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “I want to be there for them whenever I can.”

The Patriots officially released Parker shortly after the new league year began in March. He had signed a contract extension ahead of training camp last July that left $3.19 million of his upcoming salary guaranteed and ran through 2025.

Over the course of 26 games and 24 starts, the Louisville product’s tenure in Foxborough spanned 64 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. He was held out of the end zone for the first time in his career last campaign while logging 581 offensive snaps.

A one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles followed as an unrestricted free agent. It now ends in May.

Entering the NFL at pick No. 14 overall in the 2015 draft’s first round, Parker caught 338 passes for 4,727 yards and 24 touchdowns while a member of the Miami Dolphins. He landed on the other side of the AFC East in a 2022 trade that featured a swap of selections in the third and fifth rounds.

“I also appreciate the Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the opportunity,” added Parker, by Schefter. “I always will have love for the Dolphins and their organization. And I want to thank all the teams, the Patriots and the Eagles, too. But the Dolphins were the first team, and I really want to thank them.”

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound perimeter target finishes his NFL run having caught 402 passes for 5,660 yards with 27 scores across 119 appearances and 88 starts.

2024-05-21 01:19:38
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