2-Time Super Bowl Champion Running Back Announces Suprise Retirement

A former first-round pick is calling it a career at only 28 years old. Running back Sony Michel, who led both the 2018 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and 2021 Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams in rushing, has announced his retirement from the NFL. Rams head coach Sean McVay shared the news.

Rams’ HC Sean McVay told reporters that RB Sony Michel, New England’s first-round pick in 2018, informed him this morning he has decided to retire from the NFL.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 30, 2023

Michel entered the league as the Patriots' 31st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft after a standout career at Georgia. He put together an extremely promising rookie season, compiling 931 yards at a solid 4.5 yards per carry in the regular season before compiling a dominant 336 yards and six rushing touchdowns over the Patriots' Super Bowl run.

Unfortunately, it would never get better for Michel. He eventually fell out of favor in New England and was traded to the Rams in 2021 for a 2023 fourth-round pick. He saw significant work in the regular season, rushing for a team-high 845 yards, but he saw his role drastically reduced late in the year. He totalled a mere 80 yards on 26 carries over four postseason appearances for the Rams.

The Rams elected not to re-sign Michel, and he spent the 2022 season seeing limited action with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers, stumbling to 106 rushing yards at an ineffectual 2.9 yards per carry over what would be his final season. He rides off into the sunset with 3243 career rushing yards over 65 games.

Michel is emblematic of the second-class status running backs endure in today's NFL. Despite first-round pick draft pedigree and a pair of Super Bowl rings, team after team has deemed him expendable after only five seasons in the league. Hopefully, he leaves the game with good health and a full bank account.