Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief is expected to retire this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Strief has yet to announce his decision, but that should take place soon. 
“The reality is that we all love some part of this game and there’s a part of that that’s just in us,” Strief said in January as he hinted at retirement. “So it makes it very difficult always when that happens, when that time comes. And like I said, I think take some time, really make that decision away from football and make it with your family. When it is time, I will have no regrets. I know that when I decide that this has gone on so much longer and so much better than I ever could have imagined.”
Strief turned in one of his best seasons to date in 2016, but he was limited in 2017 after suffering serious knee injuries. Fortunately for the Saints, they already have two quality tackles in-house at a time when teams are scrambling for quality linemen. Terron Armstead will continue as the team’s starting left tackle with 2017 first-round pick Ryan Ramczyk on the right side. Last year, Ramczyk graded out as the No. 8 tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. Armstead wasn’t too far behind at No. 25.
Strief leaves the NFL after 12 seasons, all of which were spent in New Orleans. Going back to 2006, he appeared in 158 games with 94 starts.
Not bad for a 7th round pick.