Jordan Hicks Calls It a Career: Reflecting on a Decade of NFL Excellence and the Journey Beyond
You can feel it in his words—Jordan Hicks is hanging up the cleats, but not the passion. After ten solid years in the NFL, the veteran linebacker officially announced his retirement on Friday. The news hit social media like a bittersweet wave, especially for fans who’ve followed his journey from college standout to NFL mainstay.
“After 23 years of playing football, I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Hicks posted. “Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined… purpose, discipline, brotherhood, and a platform to impact others.”
And just like that, another chapter in NFL history closes—one written with grit, resilience, and remarkable consistency.
The Stats Say It All
Before we even dive into the emotion of it, let’s talk numbers, because Hicks wasn’t just a body in a jersey—he was a machine on the field. Over his 10-year career, Hicks racked up 952 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks. That’s elite-level production. Week in and week out, he delivered with the kind of dependability coaches dream about and offenses dread.
He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t loud. But man, he was effective.
One Last Run With the Browns
What makes his retirement announcement even more impactful is the timing. Hicks just wrapped up a solid season with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, where he served as a starting linebacker. Even in the twilight of his career, he was making plays and leading on the field like the pro he’s always been.
It’s rare to see a player go out while still playing at a high level—but that’s exactly what Hicks did. No injury-forced exit. No awkward mid-season fade-out. He chose his moment, and he walked away on his own terms. That’s the kind of mic-drop moment every athlete hopes for.
Drafted, Developed, Dominant
Let’s rewind the clock to 2015. Hicks entered the league as a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. Expectations were there, but they weren’t sky-high. What followed, however, was an incredible stretch of high-IQ, high-impact football that quickly turned heads across the league.
During his four years with Philly, Hicks developed a reputation for being smart, instinctive, and just flat-out dependable. He wasn’t just making tackles—he was calling plays, diagnosing offenses pre-snap, and leading one of the league’s most aggressive defenses.
Philly fans will never forget the 2017 Super Bowl run—although Hicks was sidelined with an Achilles injury that year, his fingerprints were all over that team’s defensive identity. And it’s no surprise that he remained close with many of those teammates long after.
From Philly to the Desert—and Then to the North
After his run with the Eagles, Hicks signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. That three-year stint? Oh, it was rock-solid. He became a tackle machine in Arizona, notching some of the best statistical seasons of his career. In 2019 alone, he recorded 150 total tackles, and proved he wasn’t just surviving in the league—he was thriving.
Then came the move to Minnesota, where he suited up for the Vikings from 2022 to 2023. Despite being on the tail end of his career, Hicks showed no signs of slowing down. He brought veteran leadership to the locker room and played with the same intensity he had as a rookie.
In fact, many would argue that his time in Minnesota was some of his most productive football. He wasn’t just showing up—he was elevating the guys around him.
Heartfelt Farewell to the Game
Of course, Jordan’s farewell message wasn’t just about stats or accolades. It was deeply personal. It read like a love letter to the game that shaped him—and to the people who helped him along the way.
“I leave this chapter with deep gratitude for every lesson, challenge, and victory. I’m proud of what I accomplished on the field, but even more proud of the man I’ve become because of it.”
There’s something incredibly real about that. Hicks recognized that football was more than a job or a sport—it was a journey of self-discovery. And like many great athletes, he didn’t just grow as a player—he grew as a person.
He made it a point to thank his teammates, his coaches, the fans, and—most importantly—his family. It’s clear his success wasn’t built in isolation.
What’s Next for Jordan Hicks?
That’s the million-dollar question now. What does life after football look like for someone like Hicks?
He didn’t drop too many clues in his retirement post, but one line stood out:
“I’m looking forward to this next season of life and all that it brings. I walk away with peace knowing I gave football all I had, and that the best is yet to come.”
With that kind of mindset, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hicks in a coaching role, broadcasting booth, or maybe even launching a foundation or mentorship program. The guy clearly has leadership chops—and if there’s one thing the football world needs, it’s more people like Jordan Hicks sticking around and giving back.
Legacy Secured
Not every great player gets the spotlight they deserve, but Jordan Hicks doesn't seem to care about that. He was never chasing fame. He was chasing excellence—and he caught it.
Whether it was diagnosing a screen pass before it developed, delivering bone-crunching tackles in the backfield, or mentoring rookies in the locker room, Hicks left it all on the field. That’s a legacy worth celebrating.
Some Key Takeaways:
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✅ 952 career tackles in 10 seasons — talk about durability and consistency!
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✅ Played for four franchises: Eagles, Cardinals, Vikings, and Browns.
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✅ Known as one of the NFL’s most reliable and intelligent linebackers.
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✅ Left the game on his own terms, still playing at a high level.
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✅ Made an impact on and off the field, with a focus on personal growth and leadership.
Final Whistle, but Not the End
Jordan Hicks may be stepping away from the game, but he’s not disappearing. Football fans know the name, and teammates know the man. And as he enters this next chapter, there’s a strong sense that he’ll continue to lead—just in a different arena.
The NFL is going to miss him. But life? Life just got one heck of a linebacker.
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