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Retirement usually marks the end of an NFL career. However, some players simply could not stay away. Over the years, several legends returned after walking away. Some returned for another championship opportunity. Others wanted to prove they still had something left. A few even returned and became stars again. The NFL has produced some incredible retirement comebacks. Here are the 15 greatest.
- Randy Moss
Randy Moss returned to football in 2012 after spending a year away. The Hall of Fame receiver joined the San Francisco 49ers. He finished that season with 28 receptions for 434 yards. Moss also scored three touchdowns during the regular season. He then helped San Francisco reach Super Bowl XLVII. Moss caught seven passes for 112 yards during the playoffs. The comeback did not produce another championship. Still, Moss showed he could contribute at 35 years old.
- Reggie White
Reggie White briefly retired after the 1998 season. The legendary defensive end eventually returned with the Carolina Panthers. White played all 16 games during his final season. He recorded 5.5 sacks before retiring permanently. That production may not match his prime years. Nevertheless, White remained an effective pass rusher. He finished his career with 198 sacks. That total made his final comeback even more impressive.
- Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders shocked the football world in 2004. Sanders returned after a three-year retirement. He joined the Baltimore Ravens at 37 years old. Sanders wore No. 37 to represent his age. Despite his limited starts, Sanders still made an impact. He recorded five interceptions across two seasons. One of those interceptions became the ninth pick-six of his career. Few defensive backs have ever returned from retirement at that age.
- Eric Weddle
Eric Weddle retired after the 2019 season. The veteran safety stayed away from football for two seasons. Then, the Los Angeles Rams called. Weddle joined the Rams shortly before their 2021 playoff run. He immediately stepped into an important defensive role. Weddle helped Los Angeles reach Super Bowl LVI. The Rams defeated Cincinnati to win the championship. Weddle therefore finished his comeback with the ultimate prize. He started the Super Bowl at 36 years old.
- Russ Francis
Russ Francis returned to football in 1982. The former Patriots tight end had already earned three Pro Bowl selections. Francis joined the defending champion San Francisco 49ers. He then continued his career for seven more seasons. Francis eventually won a Super Bowl with San Francisco. That championship came during the 1984 season. His comeback added another major accomplishment to an already strong career.
- Tom Brady
Tom Brady made retirement look temporary. Brady announced his retirement in February 2022. Just 40 days later, he reversed that decision. The 45-year-old quarterback returned to Tampa Bay for another season. Brady threw for 4,694 yards during the 2022 campaign. He also led the NFL in completions and attempts. Tampa Bay reached the playoffs again, although Dallas ended its season. Brady finally retired for good after that season. Even at 45, he remained one of football’s most productive quarterbacks.
- Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch retired after the 2015 season. The Oakland native returned two years later with the Raiders. Lynch wanted to play for his hometown team. That motivation produced a strong first season. He rushed for 891 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017. Lynch averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He later returned to Seattle late in the 2019 season. Lynch scored three touchdowns during Seattle’s playoff run. That final stretch perfectly matched his legendary personality.
- James Harrison
James Harrison’s retirement comeback lasted several seasons. The former Defensive Player of the Year returned in 2014. He continued producing as a pass rusher for Pittsburgh. Harrison later became the Steelers’ career sack leader. He also remained productive during the postseason. In 2015, Harrison recorded two playoff sacks. He added 2.5 more postseason sacks the following year. Harrison eventually finished his career with New England. His longevity made his return especially impressive.
- Randall Cunningham
Randall Cunningham retired after the 1995 season. At that point, many believed his career had ended. Cunningham returned with Minnesota in 1997. He initially served as a backup quarterback. However, Cunningham eventually took over the starting job. Then came his incredible 1998 season. Cunningham finished second in MVP voting that year. He helped Minnesota produce a then-record 556 points. The Vikings finished 15-1 during the regular season. Cunningham’s comeback became one of the greatest quarterbacks second acts ever.
- Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season. He had already won three Super Bowls with New England. Then Tom Brady moved to Tampa Bay. Gronkowski decided to reunite with his longtime quarterback. The decision worked perfectly. Gronkowski caught seven touchdown passes during the 2020 regular season. He then caught a touchdown in Super Bowl LV. Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City to win the championship. Gronkowski remained productive during the 2021 season. He finished his Tampa Bay stint with 100 receptions. Those catches produced 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns.
- Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams had one of the most unusual NFL careers. Williams retired after the 2003 season. He then returned to Miami in 2005. Williams shared the backfield with rookie Ronnie Brown. He still produced despite missing an entire season. Williams eventually returned to his previous level of production. He finished his career with 10,009 rushing yards. He also won an NFL rushing title during his career. His comeback helped preserve an otherwise complicated legacy.
- Brett Favre
Brett Favre retired multiple times. His most memorable comeback came in 2009. Favre returned at age 40 with the Minnesota Vikings. He immediately delivered one of the best seasons of his career. Favre dominated his former team, the Green Bay Packers. He threw seven touchdowns without an interception against Green Bay. The Vikings won both regular-season meetings. Minnesota eventually reached the NFC Championship Game. The Vikings lost to New Orleans in overtime. Still, Favre’s 2009 season remains one of football’s greatest comeback stories.
- Ed “Too Tall” Jones
Ed “Too Tall” Jones walked away from football after 1978. He wanted to pursue a professional boxing career. Jones returned to the Cowboys one year later. He then played another decade in Dallas. His comeback produced several outstanding seasons. Jones earned three straight Pro Bowl selections. He also earned All-Pro honors in 1982. The defensive end finished his career with 106 sacks. Jones remains one of the most successful NFL players to return from retirement.
- Bronko Nagurski
Bronko Nagurski’s comeback story sounds almost impossible today. Nagurski had retired for more than five years. The Chicago Bears needed players during World War II. So, Nagurski returned for the 1943 season. He played tackle while occasionally returning to fullback. Nagurski even scored a touchdown during the season. He then scored again in the NFL Championship Game. Chicago defeated Washington 41-21. Nagurski retired permanently after that season. His return helped the Bears win another championship. He later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.
- John Riggins
John Riggins owns the greatest retirement comeback in NFL history. Riggins retired after the 1979 season. A contract dispute played a major role in his decision. Washington eventually convinced him to return in 1981. Riggins immediately became a crucial part of Joe Gibbs’ offense. The following season produced something special. Riggins helped Washington win its first Super Bowl. He earned Super Bowl MVP honors in the process. Riggins carried the ball 38 times during Super Bowl XVII. That workload remains a Super Bowl record. He also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during the next two seasons. Riggins ultimately retired for good after the 1985 season. His comeback changed Washington football forever.
Aaron Donald Could Join Them
Aaron Donald now has an opportunity to create his own chapter. Donald retired after the 2023 season. He stayed away from football for more than two years. Now, he has returned to the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams signed Donald to a one-year contract. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money. Incentives could push the contract to $30 million. Donald enters the comeback with an extraordinary résumé. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. He also earned eight first-team All-Pro selections. Donald finished his Rams career with 111 sacks. If he performs at anything close to his old level, he could climb this list quickly.
Retirement Does Not Always Mean Goodbye
NFL careers rarely follow a straight line. Sometimes players walk away before returning. Others discover they still have something left. These 15 players proved that retirement does not always mean the end. Some returned for championships. Others returned to prove themselves. A few simply wanted one more chance to play. Now, Aaron Donald gets that opportunity. His comeback could become another legendary NFL story.
I hope that Aaron Donald does have a good return back to the NFL like the 10 on this list.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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