First-round guard suddenly retires from NFL after three Pro-Bowl nods with $63 million earned

Andrus Peat has called time on his NFL career at the age of 32.

The guard went to the New Orleans Saints with the 13th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

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He played eight seasons in the Big Easy and earned three straight Pro-Bowl selections between 2018 and 2020 before brief stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers.

“11 years in the league, I gave it everything I had. I may be walking away from football, but not from the lessons it taught me,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“Thank you to my coaches, teammates, and especially my brothers in the trenches.

“I’m grateful beyond words that I was able to live out this dream. On to the next chapter with my wife and sons. All glory to God!”

Peat appeared six times for the Steelers last season after signing a one-year deal worth $14 million.

The former Stanford O-lineman spent 2024 with the Raiders and played 15 games for the organization his father, Todd, represented in the early 1990s.

But it was New Orleans where Peat will be remembered after 117 outings with 108 starts.

He retires with $63 million earned across his career as he looks forward to live away from the turf.

Saints wideout Ja’Lynn Polk retires at 24

The Saints lost Ja’Lynn Polk in a shock retirement during the early days of training camp.

The New England Patriots spent the No. 37 pick on him two years ago.

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Polk missed the 2025 season due to a shoulder injury and was fighting for a spot on the Saints roster.

The 24-year-old appeared in 15 games as a rookie but health issues derailed his career and he finished with just 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

He needed surgery on his shoulder after his first year as a pro then reinjured the same area blocking during a preseason game in 2025.

The Saints saw Polk as an inexpensive gamble which ultimately failed as he was added to the reserve/ retired list on August 2.

No reason has been given by the player or team.

New Orleans drafted Jordyn Tyson eighth overall to add another weapon for sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough alongside vet Chris Olave.

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Polk’s exit open the door for Bub Means, Mason Tipton, Kevin Austin Jr., Ronnie Bell, Trey Palmer and Barion Brown to fight for complimentary roles in what was already a wide open room.

The Saints begin preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 15 when the depth chart should start to clear up.