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Lorenzo Carter announces surprise retirement ahead of training camp

Lorenzo Carter is hanging up his cleats just as training camps begin
ByJason Kandel|
Dec 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Dec 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The NFL has seen an emerging trend of veterans walking away from the game in recent years.  Mike Williams generated headlines by doing it a few days ago, and now another name has surprisingly joined that list.

As reported by Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com, Lorenzo Carter has officially retired from the NFL, just as training camp is beginning to ramp up across the league. 

Lorenzo Carter officially calls it a career after seven seasons

Originally a third-round pick (No. 66 overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft, Carter was one of Dave Gettleman’s core selections in his first draft as general manager.

The Georgia product played in 96 games and started in 62, amassing 21.5 sacks, 278 combined tackles, and 35 tackles for loss across his professional career.

Those are respectable numbers for a former All-SEC linebacker who battled through serious adversity.

Like many Gettleman-era picks, Carter’s Giants tenure was hampered by injury. A torn Achilles just five games into the 2020 season threatened to derail his entire career, but he was able to rebound and sign with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. 

The 29-year-old found new life in Atlanta before signing with Tennessee earlier this offseason in March. But just months later, before he even took a snap in a Titans uniform, Carter decided to walk away from the game for good.

While he never blossomed into the dominant game-wrecker Giants fans hoped for, Carter built an admirable career—one defined not by stardom, but by resilience. And for the rotational defender, he hangs up the cleats on his own terms.

In today’s NFL, where both physical and mental health, family, and life after football are more top-of-mind than ever, Carter’s decision feels less shocking and more understandable. For a guy like Carter, who gave everything to stay in the league and succeeded in lasting seven seasons, retiring on his own terms is a massive victory in itself.

Best of luck to ‘Zo in whatever comes next on his journey.

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