Buccaneers Pro Bowl offensive lineman announces surprise retirement
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Ali Marpet shocked NFL fans by announcing his retirement on Sunday afternoon. Marpet, 28 years old, made his first Pro Bowl this season and is one of the Bucs’ top linemen.
“After seven formidable years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I’ve come to the decision to retire from the game that has given me so much,” Marpet wrote on Instagram. “This organization and the people surrounding it have helped not only fulfill a dream, but also helped build me into the person I am today. I’ve made Tampa Bay my home and I look forward to serving this community in the coming years. To the coaches and teammates, family and friends, an Instagram post simply can’t express the profound impact you’ve had on me. I’m eternally grateful. Thank you Tampa Bay.”
Ali Marpet was the Buccaneers’ second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of New York school Hobart. He went No. 61 overall, becoming the highest-drafted Division III player in history.
For the Buccaneers, Marpet played seven seasons, missing just 12 games, and won one Super Bowl trophy. From 2018 to 2021, he posted a 93.7% pass block win rate, which ranked ninth in the league among guards, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. After signing a five-year deal with Tampa Bay in 2019, the New York native is walking away from $10 million in 2022.
Now, the Bucs have to find answers for Marpet and the legend Tom Brady this offseason.
Bruce Arians, Bucs owner congratulate Ali Marpet on retirement
Despite facing the challenge of replacing a staple of the offensive line, the leaders of the Buccaneers had nothing but good things to say following Marpet’s announcement.
“It has been one of my greatest professional thrills to see his rapid ascension from a small college standout into one [of] the NFL’s best all-around offensive linemen,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said in his statement.
“I can’t say enough about what Ali has meant to our team over the three seasons since my arrival. He has been the consummate professional and has been a rock for us in the interior of our offensive line,” Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians wrote. “We will miss him on the field and in the locker room, but I am happy that he gets to go out as a Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler. It is never easy saying goodbye to a player who has meant so much to our success, but I support and respect his decision and wish him a great life after football.”