Former Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins announced his retirement from the NFL at age 33 after 10 seasons in the league Friday.
“It hasn’t hit me yet, but I’m officially retired,” Collins said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “It was wonderful and something I never thought I’d be a part of. Made a lot of great relationships. Had a ton of fun. Now it’s time to relax and be with my family.”
New England drafted Collins out of Southern Miss in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, and the linebacker was an immediate contributor. Collins helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl in the 2014 season, then was selected to his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro team in 2015.
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In 2016, the Patriots traded Collins to the Browns before the trade deadline, but he earned a Super Bowl ring for that season when New England won it all. Collins would sign a four-year contract with Cleveland after the season, but the team released him one year before the contract expired.
The veteran rejoined the Patriots for one year after his Browns stint, then played parts of two years in Detroit before finishing his career in New England for a third tour. Collins finishes his career with 708 tackles and 26 1/2 sacks.
In retirement, Collins said he plans to get into coaching.
“I can’t be without football too long,” Collins said.
