Eagles offensive tackle Tyreek Burwell has announced his retirement, as the Cincinnati product announced himself on Instagram (h/t Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk). Burwell posted the following statement:
“Man it’s hard for me to sit here and put this into words but after careful consideration I’ve made the decision to retire from the NFL. This journey has been unbelievable! I’ve been blessed to have been able to play this game since I was 7 years old. Playing in the NFL has been a dream come true and this game has taught and given me so much.”
Burwell signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and though he was a victim of final cutdowns in September of that year, he was signed to the club’s practice squad shortly thereafter. He ultimately suited up for nine games in his rookie campaign, and five more in 2016, seeing minimal snaps in both seasons.
He was waived by the Bolts in September 2017 and then joined the Colts’ practice squad. He played in one game for Indianapolis that year, the last time he would see regular season action.
The Colts cut him last September, and the Eagles signed him to a reserve/futures contract in January. He was obviously a long shot to make Philadelphia’s 53-man roster.
Who? And yet he warrants his own thread…
Burwell has obviously worked hard to build up a transaction line that is nearly as impressive as that of Tom Savage so I have no problem with him getting some recognition. Not every player can get himself signed,waived,cut,added,activated and placed 18 times in a 3 year span.
Well I guess at least he gets to leave on his own terms, even though it looks more like the NFL retired him.
He looks like the perfect candidate for an XFL showcase though, so maybe there will be a comeback somewhere in the future.
Why would the XFL take on a player who has reached his upside, has wear and tear and would cost more than a college or even high school aged player who could be developed into a better talent? How does that help the XFL develop an identity, unless it’s nothing but a league for NFL busts and talents not good enough to play? Would anyone want to watch that?