On a busy day full of transactions and news about franchise tags, we also have a player who is retiring. Offensive lineman Kyle Long plans to return to the NFL and has signed with an agent, his brother Chris Long confirmed on Twitter.
He retired for a long time in January 2020, after which he admitted in July that he missed the game, but ended the season. That one season away was apparently enough for him to revive himself. The 20th pick of the 2013 draft, Long spent each of his seven seasons in the NFL with the Bears. He had immediate success, starting at least 15 games in each of his first three seasons and making it to the Pro Bowl in all those years.
Injuries soon caused things to divide and for the next four seasons, he never appeared in more than ten games. Still only 32 and able to play at a high level, Long should have no problem finding a home assuming he’s healthy. Hopefully the year off was enough to get his body in order.
He mainly played guard, but also started 16 games and made the Pro Bowl in the right tackle in 2015.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.