Knowing when to walk away is one of the hardest decisions an athlete can make, especially when you’re a legend of the game. While some NFL stars left at the perfect time, others hung around just a little too long and tarnished their once-pristine legacies.
These NFL icons played past their prime, whether it was chasing one last ring, refusing to let go of the spotlight, or simply believing they had one more season left in them. From awkward final stops to sad injury-ridden farewells, here are 15 NFL legends who should’ve called it quits just a bit earlier.
15. Troy Aikman
Aikman had a Hall of Fame career with the Cowboys, but the hits piled up quickly. His final seasons were filled with injuries and declining production, making fans wince more than cheer.
14. Shaun Alexander
Alexander had an MVP season in 2005, but the drop-off was steep and sudden. He hung around too long after his prime, ending his career with a forgettable stint in Washington that didn’t match his Seahawks glory.
13. Johnny Unitas
He was one of the greatest ever, but his one season with the Chargers in 1973 was hard to watch. He looked like a completely different player, not in a good way.
12. Emmitt Smith
The all-time rushing king played two extra years in Arizona, which felt off. He still had some juice, but Cowboys fans would’ve preferred his career ended in Dallas.
11. Eli Manning
Eli gave New York everything, but those final years were rough. The offense sputtered, the losses mounted, and it became clear the magic was gone.
10. Brett Favre
Favre’s first retirement was perfect—then he unretired. Then he unretired again. By the time he limped around in Minnesota, fans were practically begging him to call it.
9. Jason Witten
Witten’s return from the broadcast booth was admirable, but his play wasn’t the same. He gave it one more go with the Raiders, but it felt more like a formality than a farewell tour.
8. Joe Namath
Namath’s knees betrayed him long before he was ready to walk away. His one-season stint with the Rams was a shell of Broadway Joe.
7. Peyton Manning
Yes, he won a Super Bowl in his final season, but that 2015 campaign was brutal to watch. His body had nothing left, and the defense had to carry him across the finish line.
6. Larry Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald was ageless for so long that people forgot to check if he was still producing. That final season saw him fade into the background, which wasn’t how a legend should go out.
5. Franco Harris
Harris will always be remembered for the Immaculate Reception, not his one awkward year in Seattle. He had nothing left in the tank, but he tried anyway.
4. Drew Brees
His final season was filled with short throws, taped-up ribs, and the look of a guy who stayed one year too long. It was a strict watch for Saints fans who had seen him at his best.
3. Jerry Rice
The GOAT of wide receivers didn’t want to stop playing. He even made it to a Broncos training camp at 42 before finally calling it quits.
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2. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben’s arm strength was gone, his mobility was nonexistent, and his offense felt stuck in molasses. That last year in Pittsburgh was a farewell tour that probably should’ve ended a season earlier.
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1. Terrell Owens
Owens was still productive in his later years, but the league seemed to move on before he was ready. He bounced around and tried a comeback after 37, but it all felt more desperate than dominant.
