4 NFL Quarterbacks Most Likely to Retire Next

With the news coming out that 17-year veteran quarterback Philip Rivers is set to retire in the offseason, it makes you think about who else is on the verge of stepping away. The NFL is quickly making a transition to a group of young and hungry quarterbacks looking to take over the league.

Every season, rumors swirl about who will retire and who will not. There is no doubt that that will be a major storyline next year as well. With that in mind, here are the three most likely NFL quarterbacks to retire next.

1. Alex Smith, Washington Football Team

Alex Smith has a long injury history and may have to make way for a new and younger quarterback to take his spot. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

No one is overlooking the tremendous amount of hard work and perseverance it took Alex Smith to return to the NFL and become the starting quarterback for the Washington Football Team this season. However, Smith is going to be 37 years old next season and may be approaching the end of his career. In fact, it's likely Washington makes a move this offseason to have a younger quarterback ready and on the roster. Overall, the veteran journeyman has made the Pro Bowl three times and has thrown 199 touchdowns in his career.

2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees retirement rumors are already swirling for this offseason. / Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Already a near lock to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 42-year-old Drew Brees played through a shocking list of injuries this season. Rumors have been swirling that he's all but decided on retiring this offseason, and a lucrative broadcast deal could be next for Brees.

3. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan likely wants another run at a Super Bowl, but he has not had much success over the last few seasons. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

This is simply a case of playing for the right team. Matt Ryan has been the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons for 13 seasons now, but has made just one Super Bowl appearance during that time. He has put together a combined 18-29 record over the last three season and no one knows if it'll get better soon. It's possible Ryan is traded or goes to another team ready to make a deep playoff run, but his time as a starter might be running out. We may see him step away from the game in the next few years.

4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Another Super Bowl win under his belt could make Aaron Rodgers toy with the idea of retiring sooner rather than later. / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Yes, Aaron Rodgers is an MVP candidate this season and playing some of the best football of his career. It isn't likely he retires in the very near future, but saying he will in the next five years isn't completely laughable. This is especially true if he is able to capture his second Lombardi trophy with the Packers this season. Green Bay notably drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft and made it clear they want to be ready for whatever happens next. There are not many veteran starting quarterbacks left and Rodgers could be one we see retiring sooner than expected.

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Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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