Jordan Hicks announces retirement at 33 after Cleveland Browns training camp absence | NFL News
Cleveland Browns starting linebacker Jordan Hicks announced his NFL retirement Friday morning, July 25, 2025. He broke the news in an enthusiastic Instagram post. For what the team said was a personal reason, 33-year-old Hicks missed the initial two days of training camp in Berea, Ohio. Having ten outstanding league seasons under his belt, he’s formally leaving now.
Jordan Hicks announces NFL retirement at 33 after missing Browns training camp
After ten complete seasons, Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks revealed his retirement from the NFL on Friday morning, July 25, 2025. News on his official Instagram account came through a post. Due to what the squad had characterized as a “personal matter,” Hicks, 33, had missed the first two days of the Browns’ training camp in Berea, Ohio. Fans weren’t sure of his status until the announcement came. Football showed me who I am outside the game, Hicks stated in his message, which has given me more than I could have ever imagined, but most importantly. He expressed thanks to the sport for the life lessons and declared he was pleased with the person he had evolved as a result of it. Expected to head the defense, especially with teammate Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out for the 2025 season because of a neck injury, Hicks was scheduled to play his second season in Cleveland.
Jordan Hicks leaves the Browns with a big gap on defense
Hicks’ retirement now leaves the Browns without their top two inside linebackers from last season. With Owusu-Koramoah on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Browns will now depend on Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, and rookie Carson Schwesinger, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.Also Read:The Cleveland Browns Won’t Start Shedeur Sanders — But He Might Be The Future They Can’t OverlookThe team also signed veteran linebacker Jerome Baker, who has played in 90 games over seven seasons. Originally picked in the third round of the 2015 draft, Jordan Hicks was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles. Playing four seasons there, he helped to Super Bowl LII as a 2018-winning team. After working with the Arizona Cardinals, he moved to the Minnesota Vikings, where he earned respect for his never-ending tackling. Five straight seasons before joining the Browns in 2024, Hicks had more than 100 tackles. He saw Jim Schwartz, the team’s defensive coordinator who had also counseled him in Philadelphia, in Cleveland. Jordan Hicks began 131 of the 134 games he played over ten seasons. Nine hundred fifty-two tackles, 16. 5 sacks, and 13 interceptions marked the close of his career. “I leave this chapter with deep gratitude,” Hicks wrote in his retirement post.
FAQs
Who is Jordan Hicks?Jordan Hicks is an NFL linebacker who played for the Eagles, Cardinals, Vikings, and Browns.When did Jordan Hicks retire?Hicks announced his retirement on July 25, 2025.Why did Jordan Hicks retire?He said he was grateful for football but was ready to move forward in life beyond the game.
