NFL careers are fleeting, but it’s still surprising to see one cut short so soon. Especially when it’s a decision the player made for themselves. On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints listed defensive end Jabari Zuniga on the reserve/retired list, meaning he’s made the choice to step away from the game — whether for his own health, with other career opportunities in mind, or some other reason is unclear. He’ll turn 26 in August.
A former Florida Gator, Zuniga was picked by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, but by Sept. 2022 he had been waived by New York and signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. The Saints signed him to their practice squad that October and brought him back to compete for a roster spot in 2023.
He leaves the NFL having appeared in a dozen games while earning a respectable $2 million through his various pro contracts, per Over The Cap’s records, and we’ll wish him well. The Saints may decide to sign another defensive end to carry through training camp, but right now this is the group under contract for 2023:
- Cameron Jordan
- Carl Granderson
- Payton Turner
- Isaiah Foskey
- Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Niko Lalos
