Mohamed Sanu‘s playing days have officially come to an end. The veteran receiver announced on Friday that he has retired. 
“After 10+ years in the NFL, my playing chapter is closing,” Sanu wrote on X. “Grateful for every coach, teammate & fan. Excited to give back through coaching & share the game in a new way with the Facts Over Stats podcast. The Journey continues.”
Sanu last played a regular season game in 2021, and he very briefly spent time with the Dolphins the following summer. Given the time which has elapsed since, today’s announcement is certainly an unexpected one. Nevertheless, it marks an end to the 36-year-old’s career as a player.
Selected in third round of the 2012 draft, Sanu played out his rookie contract with the Bengals. He established himself as a starting-caliber receiver during that period, something which remained the case during his Falcons tenure (2016-19). In the 2018 campaign, Sanu set a new personal mark with 838 receiving yards; that season also marked the only time one of his eight career pass attempts (four of which resulted in a touchdown) fell incomplete.
After a midseason trade saw him finish the year with the Patriots, the Rutgers product split his time between the 49ers and Lions the following campaign. Sanu saw a downturn in usage and production during that span, and he remained a part-time contributor upon returning to San Francisco for 2021. After being released by the Dolphins in August of 2022, no known visits took place and no further playing opportunities presented themselves.
Multiple years removed from his final playing action in the NFL, Sanu will now officially turn his attention to other pursuits. In all, he played 145 combined regular and postseason games and amassed nearly $32MM in career earnings.
Thanks for letting us know 4 years after the fact.
He was a fun watch, he has been retired just officially submitted the papers. When I did play Fantasy Football, I had him a few times, enjoyed his td passes. Probably the last good Rutger player.
I’d say Pacheco has been relatively good.
I did forget he was at Rutgers. Izien on Bucs has been decent.
Probably best remembered as the first guy ever draft pranked
Sanu retires with an incredible career passing line of 7-8 with 233 yards and 4 TDs.
Bill trading for this guy seemed like the final nail on the patriots dynasty
Was a great compliment receiver for the Bengals, and not a bad Wildcat QB. Bengals should have held onto him, but let him walk. Can’t blame the guy for waiting to retire, you never know when an opportunity may present itself. Just like every old wrestler thinks they have one more match in them, football players always wonder if the phone will ring
Great passer out of the wildcat, too. Sanu was extremely valuable as a second receiver to Green in those days.
I posted his career passing line above and I’m still dazzled by how well he passed.
I saw after I posted it, because I’m blind. San was a true Renaissance man at WR.
Marion Butts announcing his retirement tomorrow
Say what you will, but he had to be one tough son of a bi**h to grow up with a name like that.
Really, really solid player. This announcement is a bit out of the blue (maybe he hadn’t done it officially), but Sanu was the definition of reliable. Good hands, consistent route runner, good leader. Great guy by all accounts, too. Congratulations, Sanu, I enjoyed watching you play.
Great complimentary piece alongside the generational Julio jones. I feel like I remember him more as big dude who ran routes well and could win contested catches. While Julio could literally do anything.
Out of the league for four years and he finally retires? Did the NFL forget tell him he already was retired?
He was a waste of a second round pick when the Patriots traded for him. He was useless.