Commanders legend Ryan Kerrigan reveals why he retired, future plans

Retirement was oddly the theme of the first couple days of training camp for the Washington Commanders. The most significant news, of course, came in the form of franchise legend Ryan Kerrigan hanging ’em up on Friday.

The franchise’s all-time sack leader, Kerrigan signed a one-day contract with Washington to retire where it all began in 2011. The former first-round pick spent a decade in the nation’s capital and walks away from the game as one of the most underrated defenders — let alone pass rushers — of his generation.

It’s almost a crime to think Kerrigan only made four Pro Bowls. A resume that includes 95.5 sacks, 120 tackles for loss, 149 quarterback hits and 26 forced fumbles, which ranked fourth among active players before he retired, in an 11-year span just feels like it deserves more accolades and recognition.

Nevertheless, Washington fans know and appreciate Kerrigan’s greatness and it’s heartbreaking to think his days of terrorizing quarterbacks are over. So what exactly convinced the former Purdue standout to walk away?

While addressing the media Friday, the 33-year-old revealed his knee has been giving him fits for two years and he would’ve retired last offseason but his love for the game was far too fervent to make that possible.

Why did Commanders legend Ryan Kerrigan retire from the NFL?

"So I actually came to that decision in the offseason of 2021, when I was a free agent. Got a not-so-good medical report from a couple of different doctors about my knee. But at that time, I was kind of encouraged not to play in the 2021 season, but I was not emotionally ready to not play football at that point.As I got into training again this summer, late in June, the knee really started bothering me again. And I was just like ‘you got a long life to live, Lord willing, and you got to not play anymore.’ So, I kind of came to it in late June."

What’s that we were saying about this whole thing being heartbreaking? While Kerrigan’s comments make it seem like he was unable to retire on his own terms, the pass-rushing savant seemed at peace with the decision.

As freakish as it was to see Kerrigan join the Eagles, we’re thrilled he got to suit up for one last season, even if it meant joining one of Washington’s foremost rivals.

Kerrigan was a non-factor for Philly for most of the season, but finished on a high note in the team’s playoff loss to the Bucs. After not recording a sack all year, he filled the stat sheet with two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two QB hits.

As someone who’s still visibly emotionally attached to the game, Kerrigan would love to stay in football. He hinted later in the interview that coaching could be in his future.

"“I want to stay in football, so I am excited to find out where football is going to take me next,” Kerrigan said. “Coaching is something I want to explore because I just feel like I love the environment too much; I love the football-building environment, I love being around the guys too much and I love being able to impart some of the things I’ve learned over the last 11 years on people.”"

You hear that, Ron Rivera? Hire him ASAP!

In all seriousness, we’re gutted that Kerrigan was “forced” into retirement by his lingering knee issue, but equally excited for what’s to come.

The important thing is Kerrigan’s at peace with his decision. If coaching is something that piques his interested we couldn’t think of a better spot for him to get started on that journey than Washington.