The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Nasir Adderley in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Safety is now retiring from the NFL four years later. Adderley made the announcement himself on Instagram.
“Over the past couple of years I have denied this realization, but I’m finally going to put myself first for once,” Adderley wrote in his post. “My health is above anything and everyone around me knows that.“
“… I believe I have yet to scratch the surface of the player I could be, but if it’s at the expense of my peace of mind then it’s no longer for me.“
The 25-year-old has started 44 games over the last three seasons for the Chargers. In that time he has tallied three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and 232 combined tackles since the Chargers took Adderley in the second round of the 2019 draft. Adderley took over as a starter in week two of the 2020 season. The starting spot was his until he lost it in week five of the 2022 season to Alohi Gilman. He regained the starting spot the following week and maintained it for the rest of the regular season.
When it came time for the playoffs, Nasir Adderley only played two defensive snaps in the Chargers’ playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even with Brandon Staley benching him in favor of Gilman for the postseason matchup.
It’s not often that you will see a player retire in his mid-20s, but if its for mental health reasons then Adderley is making the right choice for himself. In fact, Adderley is the first since Washington Commanders Antonio Gandy-Golden retired at the age of 24 during the 2022 training camp to return to school.
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