Tarik Cohen‘s 2024 comeback bid has fallen short. The veteran running back informed the Jets on Thursday that he is retiring, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Cohen had a successful stint with the Bears to begin his career. The former fourth-rounder made an immediate impact in the return game during his rookie season, totaling 1,578 return yards. The following year, he earned a Pro Bowl nod and first-team All-Pro acclaim for his abilities as a punt returner. Injuries have derailed his ability to remain a strong third phase contributor and to return to action, however.
An ACL tear suffered in 2020 limited Cohen to just three game that year, and he has not managed to make a regular season appearance since then. The 29-year-old appeared set for a return to action in 2022, but a torn Achilles set him back in that regard once again. Cohen saw time on the Panthers’ practice squad last year before he took a deal with the Jets in May.
That pact was aimed at allowing him to thrive once more as a returner. The NFL’s new kickoff rules are expected to increase the rate of runbacks, and a number of teams have made free agent additions with that in mind. Instead of continuing to vie for the return job in New York, Cohen will hang up his cleats. The Jets primarily used Xavier Gipson as their returner last season, and today’s news means he could remain in that role for the 2024 season.
Cohen’s NFL career will come to an end after 52 combined regular and postseason appearances. Thanks in large part to the Bears extension he signed in 2020, his career earnings stand at roughly $14.7MM. The 2024 campaign could have offered the opportunity to land a roster spot with the Jets or, later, another team. In the wake of his injuries, however, Cohen will now turn his attention to his post-playing days.
He was a really fun player at his best. Always love to see a 5’6 guy making it work in the NFL. Sad to see him hit so hard by injuries.
Devastating for him. Just sucks.
He realized he doesn’t have the quickness to make it to the sidelines anymore which was his only move.
Yeah that’s a shame because the kid really looked like he had a leg up on a decent career until it literally got yanked out from underneath him. I wish him all the best.
The right move. Best of luck
This dude live streamed tearing his achilles.
Damn that was fast
Such a shame to see a player’s career get derailed with injuries, seeing that torn achilles video during his rehab was heartbreaking.
Thanks for your work with the Bears sir and have a nice retirement
A good dude
I always thought he should have given the CFL a try. He would have benefitted from the larger playing field and probably would have had amply opportunities to establish himself as a special teams return guy.
And maybe even get a contract up there that pays 6 figures…
Well you would get about $1.38 on the American dollar…so at least you would feel richer 🙂
Cohen feels like a very young player to have retired, but I’m glad to have watched him play, especially as a returner. He was a very slippery back, and it was fun to watch him slide in and out of tackles. I’m glad that he at least got to dhow off what he could do, especially in Chicago.
Listen, $14.7 mil for an undersized RB is nothing to sneeze at. It sucks he wasn’t able to bounce back after the Achilles, but he’s still got his health and he’s still got his brain cells. Walking away when you’re still healthy is one of the hardest things for any athlete to do. Happy retirement