In a surprising twist as the NFL preseason looms, two young players have made headlines with their decisions to retire. New York Jets running back Zach Evans, just 24 years old, and Washington Commanders offensive guard Nate Herbig, 27, both announced their exits from the league this week, just days ahead of the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
Evans, who recently transitioned to the reserve/retired list, shared his retirement news on Monday. His single season at Ole Miss in 2022 was nothing short of impressive, where he racked up 936 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, boasting a remarkable average of 6.5 yards per carry—ranking him atop the competitive SEC.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Evans had a brief but active rookie season, appearing in 10 games. He continued to make strides in his career, spending parts of the 2024 season on both the Rams and Jets practice squads before deciding to step away.
Just a day following Evans’ announcement, Herbig declared his own retirement. An undrafted player in 2019, Herbig began his professional journey with the Philadelphia Eagles, making a significant impact over his first three seasons. He also enjoyed a stint with the Jets and contributed to the Pittsburgh Steelers over two seasons, where he earned a total of 30 career starts.
Herbig recently signed with the Commanders earlier this offseason, bringing a wealth of experience to the offensive line. However, as training camps opened across the NFL last week, he has opted to hang up his cleats, adding another layer of surprise to the offseason narrative.
As teams gear up for the preseason, highlighted by the upcoming matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers in Canton on Thursday, these retirements serve as stark reminders of the fleeting nature of an NFL career, even for players with promising potential.
