Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who played a part of the 2021 season with the Green Bay Packers and is currently a free agent, will retire from the NFL.
Mercilus announced the decision on his official Instagram page on Wednesday.
“It’s time to hang it up,” Mercilus said in the post’s caption.
Counting the playoffs, Mercilus played 147 games and was on the field for over 7,000 total snaps.
“I decided to hang up the cleats. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” Mercilus said.
Mercilus, who turns 32 years old in July, played in four regular-season games and one playoff game for the Packers last season. He produced one sack, two quarterback hits and 10 pressures.
The Packers acquired Mercilus after he was released by the Houston Texans in October. A first-round pick of the Texans in 2012, Mercilus played 138 games and tallied 58 sacks over 10 years in Houston.
Mercilus said he is retiring from football to spend more time with family and focus on other charitable endeavors away from the field.
His contract with the Packers expired in March. Mercilus is an unrestricted free agent.
