Less than two weeks ago, Eddie Goldman agreed to terms with the Falcons. But the veteran nose tackle has changed his mind. Goldman instead intends to walk away from the game, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Goldman’s one-year Falcons deal was worth $1.3MM, and it came with just more than $1MM guaranteed. Goldman, who had previously spent his entire career with the Bears, will pass on a seventh NFL season to retire at 28. The Falcons have since confirmed Goldman’s intention (Twitter link).
This news comes days from the Falcons’ training camp report date for veterans. It also marks the second time in three years Goldman has made a late-summer decision not to play football. In 2020, the former second-round pick informed the Bears he was opting out due to COVID-19 concerns. Goldman returned to play one more season in Chicago, but the Bears’ new regime released him to start this offseason.
Goldman did well for himself as a pro, starting for a No. 1-ranked Bears defense in 2018. That unit, which featured accomplished veterans at most spots, helped snap an eight-season Bears playoff drought. More pivotal to Goldman’s path, the Bears took care of him shortly before that season commenced. Goldman signed a four-year, $42MM extension during the 2018 offseason. That deal came with $25MM guaranteed. While part of that contract tolled after his opt-out choice, the Florida State alum collected most of the money from that deal.
While Goldman later teamed with Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith on one of the league’s top front sevens, he beat all of those vets to Chicago by going in the 2015 second round. Pace misfired with his first pick as Bears GM (wideout Kevin White) but hit on Goldman, who started 73 of the 81 games he played with the Bears. Though known more for run defense, Goldman finished his career with 13 sacks. One of those was a safety, coming when Goldman sacked Jared Goff to give the Bears a second-half lead in a 2019 upset win in Los Angeles.
The Bears disbanded this decorated front seven, for the most part, this year. Mack, Hicks and Trevathan are also gone, and Robert Quinn skipped minicamp as he aimed to be traded. The Falcons still have Grady Jarrett, but their defensive line still invites questions. Atlanta is starting over on the edge, having drafted two Day 3 pass rushers after signing Lorenzo Carter. Inside, Atlanta used Anthony Rush as its first-string nose tackle during the offseason. The team also has former second-round pick Marlon Davidson (one start in two seasons) as an interior D-line cog.
Yep like I said. Quitter. Better now than later Atlanta.
Quitter: Leaving a game that you have clearly lost the passion for healthy and wealthy to live the rest of your life the way you choose.
Sign me up!
The guy was fully vaccinated and still decided not to play in 2020. Then there was all these “injuries”. The guy’s heart wasn’t in it so he took the money and ran. Can’t fault the dude for doing it but
He was not fully vaccinated before the 2020 season.
There wasn’t a nationally distributed vaccine yet.
The truth doesn’t matter anymore. Just say whatever you want and stick to it. It is the new American way.
Hope he finds happiness….somewhere.
No honor among thieves…I think you’ll see more of this type of retirements from this generation after they get their first new contract. I hope we don’t see him as a homeless broke player five years from now.
He’s not that damn wealthy to walk away at 28 years old smh…..
Spotrac says he earned a hair south of $30m. Good enough for me.
link to spotrac.com
He will be either working the key machine at a hardware store or drying cars at the corner car wash within 5 years
He could find someone named Sachs and start an investment firm.
Thanks for the ignorant comment.
Did he really just make a little over a mill just for two weeks worth of training camps?