Two young NFL players, New York Jets running back Zach Evans and Washington Commanders offensive guard Nate Herbig, have decided to retire from professional football, surprising fans and teammates alike. The announcement came just as the NFL prepares to begin the 2025 preseason, with the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, set to open the season. Evans, who played for the Jets and the Rams, and Herbig, who had stints with several teams, have both opted to end their careers at this stage.
Zach Evans, 24, had a promising start to his NFL career, being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round in 2023. Despite his success at Ole Miss with 936 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2022, Evans struggled to make an impact in the NFL, playing only 10 games in his rookie season. He spent parts of the 2024 season on the Rams and Jets practice squads before finally retiring.
Nate Herbig, 27, joined the NFL in 2019 as an undrafted free agent and spent his first three years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He later moved to the Jets and then the Pittsburgh Steelers before finally signing with the Commanders this offseason. Herbig, who has 30 career starts, announced his retirement shortly after Evans, leaving the sports community speculating about the reasons behind their sudden decisions.
With training camps opening across the NFL, the preseason is set to begin with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers meeting in Canton, Ohio. The retirements of Evans and Herbig have raised questions about the pressures faced by young players entering the league and the decisions they make about their futures, both on and off the field.