Wide receiver unexpectedly retires days into Saints training camp

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk unexpectedly retired from the NFL, the team announced Sunday. This news was first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOleans.Football, who added that Polk "was healthy and happy with his role." The 24-year old just decided to walk away. He'll go on the reserve/retired list. The team has been just a few days into their 2026 training camp when Polk dropped the news.

Ja'Lynn Polk is just 24 and has officially played only one NFL season. That was with the New England Patriots as a rookie in 2024. Last season, Polk had season-ending shoulder surgery in training camp. He began his collegiate career with the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2020 before transferring to the Washington Huskies for his final three collegiate seasons. In 2023, Polk had 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and 9 touchdowns with the national runner-up Huskies.