For 10 years, Jon Feliciano battled in the trenches of the NFL, bringing toughness and versatility to every team he suited up for. But after a decade of wear and tear, the former New York Giants center has decided to call it a career—or at least most of a career.
Feliciano announced his retirement on Thursday, citing the physical toll of a full season as the main reason he’s stepping away. But in a twist that fits his no-nonsense, gritty personality, he left the door slightly open for a late-season return—specifically for a playoff run with the Buffalo Bills or San Francisco 49ers.
"After months of weighing my options, I realized I had to leave the game. The fire is still there, but I know I can't last a full season and can't bring myself to let people down," Feliciano wrote in an NSFW social media post. "Being on a team and unable to help out your boys is rough. That being said, Buffalo or SF, I'll be ready for a playoff run in December if you need me."
— Jonathan Feliciano (@MongoFeliciano) February 20, 2025
Jon Feliciano is hanging up the cleats for... now
Feliciano spent his decade-long career as a relentless, tough-as-nails lineman who could play multiple positions. A fourth-round pick by the then-Oakland Raiders in 2015, he carved out a key role in Buffalo, where he became a fan favorite. His 2022 stop with the Giants saw him anchor the offensive line as their starting center, helping Big Blue notch a playoff win in Minnesota—a moment he said was his favorite of the season.
“I always wanted to play in New York (I know it’s in New Jersey, but it’s right there; relax). The year I got to spend there was incredible. Helping the Giants win a postseason game in Minnesota was definitely my favorite moment of that year. I get to rub it in my wife’s family’s faces for the rest of my life. And if you know me, you know I love talking (expletive).”
Unfortunately, injuries caught up to him. After a strong 2023 season with the 49ers, Feliciano underwent knee surgery and missed all of 2024. That absence forced him to reevaluate his future, and ultimately, the grind of an entire NFL season was just too much.
But if there’s a ring on the line? Well, that’s a different story.
The idea of a late-season return isn’t unheard of, especially for a veteran lineman who knows his body can’t take a full 17-game slate but still has some gas left in the tank. The Bills and 49ers are both expected to be contenders again in 2025, and if they need a battle-tested lineman come December, Feliciano is making it clear he’ll be ready.
But what if—just hypothetically—the Giants also find themselves in the playoff hunt next season? Maybe, say, with a veteran quarterback leading the charge in Matthew Stafford? Would Feliciano consider one last ride in blue if Big Blue needs him down the stretch?
He didn’t mention the Giants in his retirement message, but hey, anything’s possible. After all, as he said himself, the fire is still there.