Former NFL All-Pro Makes Shock Announcement Amid Comeback Effort

A former NFL All-Pro has announced his retirement in a stunning reversal just as he was mounting a possible comeback, The Chicago Tribune and NBC Sports reported.

Tarik Cohen, 29, has announced his retirement from the NFL. Cohen was a fourth-round draft pick of the Bears in 2017, and the following year he served as an All-Pro kick returner and running back for the team.

In 2020, he signed a $17.25 million contract extension with the Bears; but during week three of that season, amidst a game with the Falcons, Cohen broke his leg and tore two ligaments in his knee.

He attempted to resume his NFL career in 2022 but was felled by a ruptured Achilles tendon which occurred during a livestreamed practice. 

Last August, Cohen announced that he had been cleared to play and planned to return to the NFL. He signed a reserve contract with the Panthers in January before the team released him on May 10. On May 29, Cohen signed a one-year contract with the Jets.

Sources told The New York Post that the Jets signed Cohen in part because the NFL’s new kickoff rule gave the team hope he could serve as their returner. Cohen was apparently in fine form during the spring and the first week of training camp.

Just two days ago, Cohen told the press how confident he was feeling about his impending comeback. “I definitely feel all the way back,” he said. “I’m just trying to show the Jets the explosiveness that I have, the smartness that I’ve gained from being in the league, and lift as I rise—help all the guys in my position group.”

Cohen ended his NFL career with 2,676 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns, as well as 985 yards on punt returns and 628 yards on kickoff returns.