Patriots Linebacker Jerod Mayo Announces Retirement on Instagram

Jerod Mayo was one of the NFL’s best linebackers before injuries decimated his career. On Tuesday the 29-year-old announced his retirement with an Instagram post just hours after the New England Patriots declined his $11.4 million option.

Mayo made it a point to say he was retiring as a Patriot, the only franchise he knew during his eight-year career. A two-time Pro Bowler and First-team All-Pro in 2010, Mayo was arguably the top inside linebacker in the game at one time. The Patriots made him the 10th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and he rewarded them with years of workmanlike play in the middle of their defense.

Mayo missed 10 games in 2013 thanks to a torn pectoral muscle, and in 2014 he missed 10 more thanks to a torn patellar tendon. He was not on the field when the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, but he can still boast owning a championship ring.

In 2015, Mayo was surpassed on the depth chart by Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins, then was placed in injured reserve just before the AFC Championship Game due to a shoulder injury.

Mayo will always be remembered for his innate ability to always be around the ball. He consistently racked up a staggering amount of tackles early in his career. In 2008 he had 128 combined stops, in 2008 he had 103 in 13 games, in 2010 he had an absurd 175, and in 2012 he had 147. Those are amazing numbers.

Given Mayo’s work ethic and his reputation for being a cerebral player who loved the game and spent tons of time watching film, I wouldn’t be surprised if he winds up being a coach somewhere down the line.