New York Jets First-Team All-Pro Retires From NFL

After seven years in the National Football League, including stints with the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, New York Jets running back Tarik Cohen has decided to retire from professional football. The 29-year-old signed with New York in May.

Tarik Cohen Retires After Six Seasons

Tarik Cohen was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of North Carolina AT&T. Originally projected to be a sixth-round pick due to his short height, the Chicago Bears surprised many by taking the North Carolina native 119th overall.

During his career, Cohen was known for his ability to make big plays in the rushing game, the receiving game, and special teams. In his rookie season, Cohen threw, rushed, received, and returned a touchdown in the same season.

His 2018 season was his best by far, as he was a big contributor during the Bears’ 12-win season. Alongside being a top target for quarterback Mitch Trubisky, Cohen continued to shine on the ground and special teams. He finished with over 400 rushing yards, 700 receiving yards, and 400 return yards. He also finished with a career-high 8 total touchdowns.

Cohen was rewarded with his first and only Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selection on special teams. After a solid 2019 season, the running back was rewarded in early 2020 with a big contract extension, which saw him make 5.75M for the next three seasons.

Injuries Derailed Cohen’s Promising Career

Unfortunately, injuries eventually derailed what was a promising career. Just a few weeks into his 2020 season, Cohen suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and tibial plateau fracture. This injury caused him to miss the rest of the season and the entire 2021 NFL season.

Cohen tore his Achilles tendon while training after being fully cleared to play in 2022. After signing with the Carolina Panthers, he was given another opportunity on an NFL roster in 2023 but suffered a hamstring injury and didn’t play at all that season.

While Cohen hoped to make another NFL return after signing with the New York Jets, he changed his mind and decided to retire on August 1st. This was a bummer for the Jets, as they were impressed with what Cohen brought as a special teams returner.

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS:

Order your favorite whiskey or spirit for the big game right to your doorstep and use code STADIUMRANT10 for a 10% discount at Caskers

Use code STADIUMRANT20 for a 20% discount at Bulletproof Coffee , SwingJuice and Performix .

If you love to shotgun beers, use code STADIUMRANT10 at Wild Man Drinking Company .

MORE FROM STADIUM RANT:

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here . Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , TikTok a follow for more great content!