Hours after a report surfaced the Ravens and linebacker Zach Orr were progressing on an extension, those plans will not come to fruition, it appears. Orr will instead retire due to a “serious injury”, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The talented linebacker was reportedly playing with a cracked bone in his shoulder, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), and he missed Week 17 due to a neck injury. The team attempted to talk Orr out of this decision, according to Rapoport.
Orr is battling a congenital neck condition, Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun reports, adding the discovery of this came a day after the Ravens’ regular-season finale that saw Orr sit with the neck malady. The condition affects less than one percent of people.
He confirmed his retirement, Garafolo tweets, at the scheduled Friday press conference. Orr also insists the Ravens did not talk him out of his decision to retire, Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com relays (on Twitter). Rapoport notes (via Twitter) the Ravens’ attempt to discuss a reconsideration centered on whether he was comfortable with his decision rather than the conversation being about disregarding his health for a return for a fourth season.
Orr spent just three seasons in the league after debuting as a UDFA in 2014 for the Ravens. He was eligible for restricted free agency this year. The 24-year-old ‘backer started 15 games in 2016 after being a first-stringer in none of Baltimore’s contests in 2014 or ’15. The team promoted the North Texas alum into its starting lineup alongside C.J. Mosley, where Orr replaced Daryl Smith. He finished the year as the Ravens’ runaway leader in tackles with 130 en route to second-team All-Pro acclaim. Orr also intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles.
Orr played for the league minimum his first three seasons and was set to cash in either via extension or RFA tender.
Wow, La Canfora was wayyyy off.
I can see why he was way off, no one expects a 24 year old to retire. Smart guy, make your money, save your health and move on with your life the best you can.
They just said that he didn’t get to make any money, that he was due an extension this offseason that would have made him rich. As an UDFA, he probably made less than a million dollars for the 3 years of service he provided. That’s a shame, robbed of millions of dollars and a potential HOF career.
Wow. Good for him, for the having the guts to make a bold move and do what’s in his best interests. We will miss you and best of luck in your future endeavors.
Damn that’s sad. Career cut short. Good luck to him getting better.
If I was him I would have talked to the ravens and possibly signed a one year deal with the ravens for a few million (maybe below what the 1st round tender would be) with the idea of rehabbing/getting treatment from the team’s medical staff. But the ravens would have to be okay with him only playing IF he felt comfortable. Which in today’s NFL you could do worse then give your top tackler $2 million incase he decides to play again.
Dont blame him for doing this, definetly takes some guts to step away right before your big payday.
If his condition is congenital, then it’s likely he made the right decision to retire.