4 NFL Quarterbacks Most Likely to Retire Next

Updated: Sep 10, 5:00pm UTC

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

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

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

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

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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