The 2026 NFL Draft class hasn't even played a regular-season snap, but three undrafted rookies have already decided to hang up their cleats. In a stunning turn of events, running back Le'Veon Moss, wide receiver Squirrel White, and wide receiver Alex Bullock all announced their retirements within days of signing with their respective teams.
Moss, who signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M, was placed on the reserve/retired list just four days after putting pen to paper. According to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Moss attended rookie minicamp on May 8 and then walked away. The Dolphins officially placed him on the reserve/retired list over the weekend.
“The Miami Dolphins placed undrafted rookie RB Le’Veon Moss, formerly of Texas A&M, on the reserve/retired list. This happens just weeks after his signing as a UDFA,” Furones reported. “In fact, Le’Veon Moss officially signed on Friday, May 8, for the Dolphins’ first day of rookie minicamp. Four days later, he’s retired.”
Moss wasn't alone. Earlier this month, Chicago Bears wide receiver Squirrel White also opted to retire. White, who played collegiately at Tennessee and Florida State, amassed over 1,900 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in college. But an apparent injury during an offseason practice in Chicago may have contributed to his decision.
“I was walking into the Walter Payton Center Saturday as he was exiting the practice field with a trainer. This was during stretch. He did not return for practice,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin wrote on X on May 9.
Now, a third undrafted rookie has joined the trend. The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that wide receiver Alex Bullock, out of South Dakota State, has retired. Bullock's retirement marks the third such case in a span of days, as reported by Ari Meirov.
“Alex Bullock, who they signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State, is retiring from the NFL, the team announced. This is now the third undrafted NFL rookie to retire in the last week,” Meirov reported.
These early exits raise fresh questions about how quickly undrafted rookies can lose motivation after signing. The NFL dream remains alive for many, but for these three, the reality didn't match the fantasy. Injuries and personal decisions appear to be the driving forces behind their rapid retirements.
For context, the NFL has seen its share of premature retirements before—remember Andrew Luck's shocking decision? But those were established stars. Seeing three rookies walk away before even playing a preseason game is a different kind of story. It underscores the immense physical and mental toll that professional football demands.
While the 2026 season is still months away, these three players have already made their peace with leaving the game behind. Whether it's retirement talk among veterans or rookies calling it quits, the NFL never stops surprising us.
