Multiple Jets reporters stunned by former All-Pro RB's abrupt retirement

The New York Jets are less than two weeks away from their preseason opener against the Washington Commanders on Aug. 10 and just over five weeks from beginning their regular season on "Monday Night Football" vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported a surprising development on Thursday morning — former All-Pro running back and special teams ace Tarik Cohen is retiring.

While the 2018 Pro Bowler hasn't played an NFL game since Week 3 of the 2020 season and has suffered multiple setbacks in his comeback attempts, the news was still a shock to multiple media members who cover Gang Green.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh called Cohen an "explosive playmaker" who was "starting to get back healthy" in late May.

"With the new kickoff rules and these kick returners, they're gonna touch the ball over 100 times a year, which is significant," Saleh added. "At least that's what we're anticipating, and a guy like him, he's still young, obviously coming off his injuries, but we're excited to have him aboard."

The 2017 fourth-round pick's best season came in 2018 with the Chicago Bears, when he had career highs in rushing attempts (99), rushing yards (444), rushing touchdowns (three) and receiving yards (725). Cohen led the Bears that season in receptions (71) and yards from scrimmage (career-high 1,169) while scoring eight touchdowns as well (five through the air). He also recorded a league-high 411 punt return yards on 33 attempts.

He suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 of the 2020 campaign and after being unable to pass a physical in March 2022, Cohen was released by Chicago with an injury designation. Cohen went down with a torn Achilles during a live-streamed training session on Instagram in May 2022, again delaying his comeback.

He signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad in September, was placed on injured reserve in November with a hamstring issue and re-activated in December but never played in a game with the team.