10 NFL Players Likely Playing Their Final Season in 2026
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The NFL continues to see the best of the best play their hearts out, win a Super Bowl, and players making a legendary impact on and off the field, with their incredible play, leadership, and durability throughout their careers. However, not everything lasts forever, as some veterans will likely hang up the cleats after the 2026 season concludes and move on to other endeavors in their lives, whether it’s running a business, moving into coaching, or anything else that intrigues their interests, while the next man steps up and takes their place. Whether some of these guys make it to the Hall of Fame or not, their legacy on the field will always be remembered for what they accomplished with their respective teams during the regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowls. Here at TPS, we’re going to look at 10 guys who’ll likely call it a career after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL season. Which players will likely play their last season in the NFL? Cameron HeywardDec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) walks the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Heyward has been an ironhorse on the Steelers’ defense since he was drafted in 2011, making seven Pro Bowls, winning the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, having 796 tackles, 92 sacks, nine forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, 64 pass deflections, and two interceptions… so far, as of the 2025 season. Heyward will be 37 when the 2026 season kicks off and has dealt with injuries in the past, including a groin injury in the 2023 season. Despite that, Heyward is still extremely reliable, like a Swiss Army knife for the Steelers’ defense throughout his storied career. Heyward is also under contract until the end of the 2026 season, and with Mike Tomlin gone and Mike McCarthy in as head coach, Heyward could be moving on from the Steelers after the 2026 season. Heyward should continue to play well and lead the Steelers’ defense in the 2026 regular season. If Heyward retires after the 2026 season, Canton will welcome him with open arms for all the accomplishments he earned on the field. Calais CampbellNov 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images Campbell is considered one of the best defensive ends to play in the NFL and has brought intelligent veteran leadership, no matter what team he played on. However, Campbell will be 40 by the end of the 2026 season, and not many NFL players at his position can continue playing at an elite level at the position. Campbell has made six Pro Bowls, is on the 2010s All-Decade team, won the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, made 960 tackles, 117 sacks, 65 pass deflections, 18 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns. Campbell has also been very reliable throughout his career, as he played in all 17 games during the 2025 season for the Cardinals. It would be very nice to see Campbell get traded to a championship contender or sign a minimum deal with a contender before the conclusion of the 2026 regular season for a chance to reach the Super Bowl. Campbell has been very resilient throughout his career, and when he eventually hangs up the cleats, he’ll be a for-sure first-ballot Hall of Famer for all he’s accomplished throughout his time in the league. Bobby WagnerJan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) celebrates after winning a NFC wild card playoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Wagner has been incredible throughout his legendary career: Winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks, leading the league with 97 solo tackles in 2017, leading the league in combined tackles in 2023, winning the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, making 10 Pro Bowls, and much more. Wagner is currently a free agent, and whoever signs him will be very lucky to have an incredibly talented NFL veteran player guiding the young guys on their defense. However, Wagner will be 36 by the time the 2026 season kicks off, and most linebackers retire in their early to mid-30s. Wagner has played like a fine wine in his 30s and has been incredibly durable with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Washington Commanders in his later career. We would love to see Wagner join a championship contender for the 2026 season and potentially go out as a champion, whether with the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks, to mentor and guide the next generation of linebackers. When Wagner eventually retires, he’ll be a first ballot Hall of Famer welcomed in Canton. Matthew StaffordLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Stafford has been one of the league’s most elite quarterbacks from his heyday with the Detroit Lions to how he’s handled playing for the Los Angeles Rams to this day. Stafford has made three Pro Bowls, helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI, won the league MVP in 2025, and holds the record for most game-winning drives in a single season with Kirk Cousins. He is 38 years old, and we don’t know how much longer he’ll continue playing. Stafford has an incredibly talented Rams team to work with for the 2026 season and has recently bolstered their defense for the new season. If the Rams reach and potentially win Super Bowl LXI, don’t be surprised if Stafford hangs up the cleats after a long and incredible career, and the possibility of going out as a champion. When or if that happens, Stafford should be a lock for the Lions’ and Rams’ Ring of Honor and get into Canton for all he’s accomplished as a signal caller. Aaron RodgersAaron Rodgers (Photo via Imagn Images) Rodgers recently played a very good 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing 327 passes for 3,322 yards, throwing 24 touchdowns against eight interceptions, rushing for 61 yards on 21 attempts, and scoring a rushing touchdown. Not to mention helped the Steelers win the AFC North in 2025 and guided them to the playoffs, until the Houston Texans defeated them in the Wildcard Round. Rodgers was released by the Steelers in January 2026, making him a free agent, and we’re not even sure if he will play in 2026 or not. If Rodgers does play, depending upon which team signs him, he’ll be 43 by the conclusion of the season. On top of that, if he also plays, he could help the Steelers compete for a Wildcard spot, as the team recently traded for Michael Pittman Jr. to improve the passing attack. If Rodgers does retire, there’s no denying the legacy he left on the field: Winning Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers, winning Super Bowl MVP of that game, winning four league MVPs, making 10 Pro Bowls, holding the record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception with 402 pass attempts, and much more. Arguably one of the best NFL players ever. When Rodgers is enshrined in the Hall of Fame, we look forward to listening to his Induction speech. Matt PraterJan 17, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills place kicker Matt Prater (15) kicks a field goal out of the hold of punter Mitch Wishnowsky (19) during the fourth quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Prater is considered one of the best kickers to grace an NFL field, making a name for himself with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions for several years. Prater holds the NFL record for the most 50-plus yard field goals with 81… so far. The Buffalo Bills signed Prater after Tyler Bass suffered a hip and groin injury, and he was very serviceable for them during the season. Prater made 18 out of 20 field goals and 46 out of 49 extra point attempts during the regular season, and made five field goals and six extra points in the playoffs for the Bills. Prater is currently a free agent and will be 42 when the 2026 season kicks off. A kicker-needy team would be more than happy with Prater’s services in the upcoming regular season. Although kickers typically last a lot longer than most NFL players, 42 is old for NFL standards, as younger kickers continue to step up. When or if Prater hangs up the cleats after the 2026 season, his reliability, longevity, and accuracy will be remembered. Joe FlaccoCincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) runs off before a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. The Bengals won, 33-31. Flacco recently signed a one-year deal to return to the Cincinnati Bengals to back up Joe Burrow, who suffered a turf toe injury during the 2025 season. Flacco, as we all know, spent most of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, won Super Bowl 47 with them, and won Super Bowl MVP of that game. Since Flacco’s tenure ended in Baltimore, he’s bounced around the league with stops with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and has been with the Bengals since 2025. Sure, Flacco can still play at an above-average level, but he’s 41, and it’s rare to see quarterbacks play at that age. Flacco only won two games as a starter in the 2025 season (one with the Cleveland Browns and one with the Bengals), completed 251 passes for 2479 yards, throwing 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, rushing for 35 yards on 24 carries, and scoring a rushing touchdown in the 2025 season for both the Browns and the Bengals. Flacco has always been serviable and reliable as a starter and as a journeyman backup, and staying on the roster is a solid option, just in case anything happens to Burrow during the 2026 regular season. When Flacco retires, he will likely make the Ravens’ Ring of Honor for all he’s accomplished with the team during his time in Baltimore. Morgan CoxTennessee Titans long snapper Morgan Cox (46) heads out before the game against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. Cox is one of the best long snappers in the league, from his time with the Baltimore Ravens to trying to keep the Tennessee Titans afloat in their rebuilding years. This NFL player has done it all, making five Pro Bowls, being named a 2020 First-Team All-Pro, and helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 season. Cox has also played in 250 games, has 17 tackles, and one fumble recovery… so far in his NFL career. We can’t wait to see what he can do in the new-look Titans team under Robert Saleh’s leadership. However, Cox will be 40 by the time the 2026 season kicks off and recently signed a one-year deal to return to the Titans. Cox’s longevity and reliability are outstanding, and we hope he gets elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the near future. Harrison SmithMinnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) walks out onto the field before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA Smith is one of the toughest safeties to play in the league during his long tenure with the Minnesota Vikings: Making six Pro Bowls, being named a First-Team All-Pro in 2017, a Second-Team All-Pro in 2018, has 1,180 tackles, 39 interceptions, 106 pass deflections, 13 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, 21.5 sacks, and four defensive touchdowns so far in his career. The Vikings released Smith after 14 seasons, and he is still a free agent, who’ll potentially return to Minnesota or sign with a new team, depending on what happens in the offseason. Whichever team signs Smith will get an intelligent leader in their respective secondary, as he brings versatile play and a productive blitzer. We would like to see Smith join a championship contender for the 2026 season and see him potentially earn a Super Bowl ring, whether it’s the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, or Seattle Seahawks, which would be icing on the cake for his amazing career. Smith is 37 years old and will be 38 in February 2027. If he retires, he will likely get into Canton and will be enshrined in the Vikings’ Ring of Honor for all he’s accomplished for the team. Cameron JordanOct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Similar to Cameron Heyward, Jordan has shown longevity, incredible veteran leadership, played for one team his entire career… so far, has made eight Pro Bowls, was named to the 2010s NFL All Decade Team, has 763 tackles, 132 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and one defensive touchdown… so far in his Hall of Fame career. Although Jordan remains unsigned as of recently, he could either re-sign with the Saints or join a title contender and hopefully win that elusive Super Bowl to further complete his already amazing résumé. The closest Jordan ever got to a Super Bowl was the 2019 NFC Championship game, when the Saints lost a close and controversial game at home to the Los Angeles Rams. Jordan will be 37 when the 2026 regular season kicks off, and has been reliable on the Saints’ defense, despite the team being nowhere near championship contention. We, as NFL fans, would love to see Jordan sign with a title contender for the 2026 season, and hopefully, see him ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl Champion. When Jordan does retire and hang up the cleats, he’ll be a for-sure first ballot Hall of Famer for all he accomplished with the Saints.
