Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe wasn't going to be short on suitors this offseason after a surprise release from the Baltimore Ravens, but he has opted to retire instead.
In an article for The Players' Tribune, Monroe formally announced his retirement Thursday and cited concerns over concussions and his long-term health as the primary reasons behind his decision to call it a career.
Monroe also stated he was confident that he could still play football at a high level and wrote he would miss the game-day energy that kept him going throughout his career.
"I'm going to miss the excitement of being part of something that so many people love so much," Monroe wrote. "An emotional roller coaster gets underway at the beginning of every NFL season. Passions and emotions run as high in the league as they do in any other profession. On any team in the NFL, you can feel the intensity of the game simply by walking into the practice facility every morning."
ESPN first reported Monroe's decision.
The 29-year-old Virginia grad and former No. 9 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars played in 93 games over his seven-year career. He was dealt to Baltimore back in 2013 for a fourth and fifth-round pick and signed a five-year deal after his first season in purple.
Monroe's falling out with Baltimore was just as swift, though. Coach John Harbaugh did not mince words when asked about the team's ongoing efforts to trade him this offseason. Baltimore held Monroe out of a minicamp practice amid negotiations and pivoted directly to No. 6 overall pick Ronnie Stanley as their left tackle of the future once they released Monroe.
It was a move that saved the Ravens some much-needed salary-cap space.
Monroe is no stranger to The Players' Tribune. He penned an article for the site in May urging the NFL to accept cannabinoids as an alternative for pain management and released a statement after he was cut by the Ravens ensuring that the move would not deter him from continued advocacy.
Around The NFL will have more on the situation as news becomes available...
