BREAKING: Veteran WR announces retirement after nine seasons
DeVante Parker is calling it a career. After signing with the Eagles earlier this offseason, the veteran wide receiver informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter of his decision to retire.
“I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them,” Parker explained. “I want to be there for them whenever I can.”
Parker, a former first-round pick, spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins. His standout season came in 2019 when he recorded 72 catches for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. By the end of his tenure with the Dolphins, Parker amassed 4,727 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
While he may not have fully lived up to his first-round expectations, he still left his mark, ranking in the top-10 in franchise history for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
WR Devante Parker announces his retirement from the #NFL after nine seasons pic.twitter.com/sAAW9di2JC
— Pro Sports Fans (@PSF_App) May 21, 2024
“I also appreciate the Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the opportunity,” Parker told Schefter. “I always will have love for the Dolphins and their organization. And I want to thank all the teams, the Patriots and the Eagles, too. But the Dolphins were the first team, and I really want to thank them.”
Parker was traded to the Patriots ahead of the 2022 campaign and had two inconsistent seasons in New England. The quarterback uncertainty with the Patriots limited him to 933 yards over 26 games, including a career-low 394 receiving yards this past season.
WR DeVante Parker is retiring after nine seasons in the NFL, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/GTKaPk3qtw
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 21, 2024
![Schefter] After nine NFL seasons, Eagles WR DeVante Parker has decided to retire. : r/miamidolphins](https://external-preview.redd.it/schefter-after-nine-nfl-seasons-eagles-wr-devante-parker-v0-F7LrLBNKgrAF8qp7KuduWIzKCxwVJW-w99BNo7aP1Dc.jpg?auto=webp&s=14d4a0a94aaa84bdd0a18896370bd346e8b5e53f)
Released by the Patriots in March, Parker quickly signed with the Eagles, where he was expected to compete for the third spot on the depth chart behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With Parker retiring, the competition for the third receiver position now shifts to Parris Campbell, who will be contending with rookie Ainias Smith (fifth round) and Johnny Wilson (sixth round) for playing time.