An offseason that was already going to be challenging for the Buccaneers got a lot more difficult on Sunday afternoon, with Pro Bowl left guard Ali Marpet announcing his retirement from the NFL at the age of 28.
Let’s first say that this is an admirable decision—and a tough one—for the Bucs’ 2015 second-round pick. Coming from Division III Hobart College, he played seven exceptional seasons with Tampa Bay and was one of the league’s most underrated linemen year in and year out. Now, he gets to go out in good health, on his own terms and with a Super Bowl ring and a Pro Bowl selection to his name.