Wide Receiver in the NFL is a tough position to play. It requires speed, concentration, tremendous hand-eye coordination, and the ability to absorb massive hits from hulking linebackers on crossing routes. Those repeated hits can cause some serious damage, which is one of the reasons players are retiring younger than they typically did. Those early retirements may result in players actually staying in one place for their careers.
Let’s examine 5 wide receivers that will retire with their current team, and 5 that will soon be catching on with another team.
CHANGE – Odell Beckham Jr., Baltimore Ravens
This was an easy one to start off our list. It’s never been about talent with Odell Beckham Jr., it’s always been primarily about health. It’s also been about attitude, as OBJ seems to have worn out his welcome at some of his previous stops. Now, as he once again approaches free agency, it’s also a question of age. Beckham is not the star he once was, but he can still be a serviceable receiver. Age and health have taken their toll, meaning that OBJ has reached the point where a repeated series of one-year deals is his future, and that means moving around the league.
RETIRE – Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin has essentially been a 1,000-yard-per-season receiver since entering the NFL in 2019, and the Commanders were smart to lock him up long-term. McLaurin is approaching his early 30s but is still signed for a few more years. Considering the amount of money he’s still owed, it’s hard to see Washington releasing him. By the time he finally reaches free agency, his age will be a factor in negotiations. Either this current deal will be his last or McLaurin will sign a short-term deal and stay with the only professional team he’s ever known.
CHANGE – Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Calvin Ridley was given a second chance in Jacksonville for the 2023 season and showed that there’s still life left in his tank. Ridley proved that he is still an NFL-caliber receiver, but the Jaguars are at a crossroads. Their tumble to close out the 2023 season exposed many holes in the team. The Jags will not win or lose because of Ridley, and as he approaches free agency, “his” money is better spent elsewhere. His age, expendability, and probable desire to sign a lucrative long-term deal, makes him an ideal candidate to change teams.
RETIRE – Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp has been a steady presence for the Rams since making his debut in the 2017 season, but his time with the only franchise he’s known will soon be coming to an end. Kupp will be a free agent in 2027 when he will be in his mid-thirties. At that point, no team, including the Rams, will be willing to offer a long-term deal. With the continued success of LA’s promising young receivers, I can see Kupp signing a short-term deal to stay with the team and slot in as a third receiver option on offense.
CHANGE – Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a lot of needs going forward if they want to build a Super Bowl-winning team. Although the team has a lot of holes, a receiver isn’t one of them. Los Angeles has a pair of very strong starting wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Both are incredibly talented and productive and make about the same money. While Williams is guaranteed more money, Allen is 2 years older. Should LA need to clear salary to rebuild (they will), that difference makes Keenan Allen the more likely one of the pair to be looking for a new home.
RETIRE – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots
Matthew Slater is a 38-year-old wide receiver for the New England Patriots who has been with the team for 16 years – 239 games! Despite that run of longevity, chances are that the vast majority of readers have never heard of Slater, and there’s a reason for that – he’s only caught 3 passes in his career. The receiver has primarily played on special teams his entire career. It is unknown if he will return for the 2024 season, but if he does, it’s safe to assume that Matthew Slater will be a Patriot for life.
CHANGE – Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans has been an absolute stud since his debut with the Bucs in 2014. Over 11,000 yards receiving and close to 100 touchdowns so far, and he certainly doesn’t look ready to slow down. But free agency is approaching, and it’s approaching soon. You can bet that Evans will be looking for one last, very large payday. While Evans definitely still has life left in his career, Tampa Bay has many issues and would probably be better served by spreading the money around and bringing in a lower-cost option at receiver. Mike Evans certainly seems like the type of player to stay with one team, but unfortunately, that will not be the case.
RETIRE – Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Scour the NFL for the elite wide receivers and Justin Jefferson is sure to be at the forefront of your search. Simply put, he’s one of the best in the game. The Vikings offense operates differently without Jefferson than they do with him, and that’s not a compliment. This difference maker will be a free agent in 2025 and Minnesota would be foolish to not lock him up long-term. Assuming they do, and with players retiring younger, it’s not impossible to see Justin Jefferson spend his career in the Twin Cities.
CHANGE – Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
The New York Jets are supposedly a win-now team, but have a lot of long-term questions, starting with an aging quarterback attempting to return from a major injury. One area of strength for New York is WR Garrett Wilson, who is an emerging star in the league. However, he will be a free agent in 2026 and with an aging QB in Aaron Rodgers, who won’t be around by then, the Jets might be rebuilding yet again. If the Jets don’t win a Super Bowl by then, Wilson might not want to re-up in New York.
RETIRE – Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Maybe this is cheating, but I’m going with it anyway! Tyreek Hill is one of the best receivers in the game today and will someday end up in Canton, but he will not be playing much longer. Hill’s legacy is already set, and he’s hinted at leaving the game when his contract expires in 2027, thus ending his career in Miami.
Jaylen Waddle has the skills and talent to be a number-one receiver in the NFL, but he plays on the same team as Tyreek Hill. While Miami can limit Waddle’s salary right now, he should be hitting unrestricted free agency about the same time that Hill departs (assuming he doesn’t change his mind). That timing allows the Dolphins to lock up Waddle long-term, keeping him with the franchise for life.
