After eight seasons with the New England Patriots, linebacker Jerod Mayo is calling it quits.
Mayo announced his retirement at age 29 from the NFL on Tuesday through an Instagram post.
“After a lot of thought, Chantel and I take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for what we consider a life changing event … that of becoming a New England Patriot for the past 8 years,” Mayo wrote. “We are extremely grateful to “Thundercat,” Jonathan, the Kraft family, Coach Belichick, the Pats organization and the most amazing fans in contributing to these pages of our lives. As my family and I prepare for the future, be sure that the Pats memories will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Mayo was the 10th overall pick by the Patriots in the 2008 draft. He went to be named Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year and to two Pro Bowl berths while also winning a Super Bowl championship.
But the last three years of Mayo’s career were plagued by injuries that included a torn pectoral muscle in 2013 and a torn patellar tendon in 2014 that landed him on injured reserve.
In Mayo’s final season in 2015, he finished with 47 tackles and one sack in 16 games, but he started just eight games while battling a shoulder injury.
Mayo’s retirement will save the Patriots about $7 million in salary-cap space in 2016.