WR Chris Conley Announces Retirement

After a decade in the NFL, wide receiver Chris Conley is retiring to pursue a post-playing career as a filmmaker, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“When I was a kid I wrote down a set of goals,” wrote Conley on Instagram (via KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson). “On that list was ‘Play 10 years in the NFL.’ Now that this goal has been accomplished it’s time to set sights on something new.”

Conley’s “something new” is film school at his alma mater, the University of Georgia, where he was a student filmmaker in addition to his pursuit of a journalism degree and his football career, per his LinkedIn profile. His YouTube page features multiple short films, including a “Star Wars” fan film entitled “Retribution.” Conley also worked as a stuntman during his time in the NFL, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

The 32-year-old played for five different teams in his career, most recently the 49ers in 2023 and 2024. Originally a 2015 third-round pick out of Georgia, Conley started 34 games for the Chiefs on his rookie contract before signing with the Jaguars in 2019. He posted career-highs of 47 catches and 775 yards during his first year in Jacksonville, but took a clear step back in 2020.

Conley signed with the Texans in 2021 and posted 22 catches for 232 yards in 16 appearances (10 starts). In the three years since, he’s only made 13 catches for 191 yards across 32 games for the Texans, Titans, and 49ers. He retires with 226 receptions for 2,998 yards and 15 touchdowns across 132 games played and 65 starts. Conley’s career earnings fell just shy of $16MM across his 10 years as a pro.

“The past 10 years have been a dream,” continued Conley’s retirement announcement. “Getting the opportunity to play in the league was an honor and whether it was catching touchdowns or blocking for them I truly gave it my all.”