3 Veteran NFL Players Retire Abruptly

Bryce Huff, Drew Dalman, and Bradley Bozeman all call it quits before age 31.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:18pm by Ben Kaplan

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Three veteran NFL players - Bryce Huff of the San Francisco 49ers, Drew Dalman of the Chicago Bears, and Bradley Bozeman of the Los Angeles Chargers - have all announced their retirements this offseason, despite being 31 years old or younger. The players cited various reasons for their decisions, including starting new business ventures and simply walking away from the game.

Why it matters

The retirements of these young NFL stars highlight the growing trend of players choosing to retire from the league at earlier ages, often to pursue other interests or due to concerns about long-term health effects of the sport. This raises questions about the sustainability of the NFL's talent pipeline and the league's ability to retain top players.

The details

Bryce Huff, a 27-year-old pass rusher for the San Francisco 49ers, announced his retirement to start a business focused on fighting lithium battery fires. Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, 27, retired after just five seasons in the NFL. Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman, 31, retired after eight seasons in the league.

  • Bryce Huff announced his retirement this week.
  • Drew Dalman retired earlier this offseason.
  • Bradley Bozeman retired after the 2025 season.

The players

Bryce Huff

A 27-year-old pass rusher who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers before the 2025 season.

Drew Dalman

A 27-year-old center who played the last season for the Chicago Bears after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

Bradley Bozeman

A 31-year-old center who spent the last two seasons starting for the Los Angeles Chargers.

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What they’re saying

“I'm retiring from football. I started playing football when I was 4 years old. Growing up, I wasn't the biggest or the strongest, and I didn't have many friends. All I really had was the game. Football kept me grounded. It gave me something to hold onto.”

— Bryce Huff

“Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at age 27. Dalman left Stanford in 2021, and after four seasons in Atlanta and one in Chicago, he has made the sudden and surprising decision to retire.”

— Adam Schefter, NFL Reporter

What’s next

The NFL will likely need to examine ways to incentivize veteran players to remain in the league longer, whether through improved benefits, player safety initiatives, or other measures.

The takeaway

The early retirements of these young NFL stars underscore the physical and mental toll of professional football, as well as the growing desire of players to pursue other interests and life goals outside of the sport. This trend raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the league's talent pool.