Tavon Austin‘s time in the NFL has come to an end. The veteran receiver and returner announced his retirement on Tuesday. 
The 34-year-old has not played since 2021, but he continued to draw interest over the past two years. Workouts in October 2022 as well as last September did not produce agreements, however. With the start of the 2024 campaign approaching, Austin will turn his attention toward his post-playing days.
“I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give up football,” the former first-rounder’s statement reads in part, “and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I’m retiring from the NFL… Football didn’t always love me back, but it will always be my first love! I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL… Just like my seasons, they come to an end, and it’s time for me to enter my next chapter in life.”
Austin entered the league with high expectations as a No. 8 overall pick of the Rams. His most productive season as a receiver came in 2016 when he posted 509 yards and three touchdowns. While his output on offense did not live up to expectations, he did carve out a notable role as an impactful returner. His third phase contributions helped land him on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team in 2013.
The West Virginia alum racked up at least 1,009 all-purpose yards in three of his first four seasons, returning one punt for a touchdown each season from 2013-15. Austin was dealt to the Cowboys ahead of the 2018 season, but his two-year tenure with the team did not produce a regular role on offense. That remained the case in 2021 during his stint with the Jaguars.
Austin caught on with the Bills in the summer of 2022, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. That resulted in a brief period on the team’s practice squad, but in October he was let go. Free agency has not produced a deal since that time, marking an end to his NFL tenure. Austin will depart the league with 118 combined regular and postseason games to his name and roughly $41MM in career earnings.
Career bust.
He didn’t meet your expectations but 10 years in the NFL is a decent career in the national football league by anyone’s standards. Best of luck to him .
I don’t know if he was a bust or if he was just a massive reach by the Rams when they picked him eighth overall in the draft.
If 41mil in career earnings is a bust. I want that job
Plenty of players make a bag and are busts.
TA is one of them. Never even made the pro bowl even as a kick returner did he?
yeah what a bust right? I mean 10 years in the NFL who can’t do that? of yeah YOU CANT…10 Years years in the NFL and 41 million dollars in the bank is pretty impressive imo
Jamarcus Russell made a ton of money…he’s a bust.
Guys like Sam Bradford, Sam darnold have lasted 8 and like 6 years and are busts. They may hit 10 years. Still busts.
Zero time pro bowl, zero time first team all pro, zero time second team all pro.
He’s a bust. Good on him to make the bag and have some longevity. But he wasn’t good. Period. He was not a good player at best he was below average.
If you haven’t played since 2021, Did you really just retire? Hmmmmm…..
Yes He just officially announced his retirement after a 10 year career in the NFL, that didn’t meet his or many fans expectations.
I would like to announce my retirement from the NFL as well
Damn, you’re on my fantasy team.
Nice career young man
Once again, people don’t understand basic English. You cannot “retire” if you aren’t actively employed.
No, you can’t quit without being employed. If your agent will still make or take calls about you, if you’ll come in to work out for a team, you’re not retired.
uhhh sure ya can
Who?
This story is 3 yrs ol. Saw em when he was in HS @Dunbar in Baltimore. Was fast but even more so he was quick n everybody else was moving in slow motion. Ashamed no NFL OC could put him in right position to have real meaningful success. Had nice career n got paid. Enjoy retirement.
I wanted him in the Saints offense so bad when Brees was there…as a Saints fan and a WVU fan