A Dallas Cowboys cornerback and former Ohio State Buckeyes star is calling it quits at the age of 29.
According to a report from ESPN’s Todd Archer, cornerback Gareon Conley told the Dallas Cowboys that he’s retiring from football. Rather than put him on the reserve/retired list, Conley was outright released by Dallas, Cowboys.com writer Nick Harris added.
Can confirm @toddarcher’s report that Gareon Conley informed the team that he intends to retire which led to his release. https://t.co/mD7548BFTi
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 28, 2024
Conley was drafted in the first round (24th overall) by the Oakland Raiders in 2019. Conley, who won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2014, spent two and a half seasons there before getting traded to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2019 deadline.
Unfortunately, Conley missed the entire 2020 season after the Texans put him on the injured reserve. He became a free agent in 2021 following the expiration of his rookie deal (Houston declined Conley’s fifth-year option), and went unsigned over the next two years.
Gareon Conley is retiring after a brief NFL comeback with the Dallas Cowboys. https://t.co/JjNgsl4LWZ
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 28, 2024
After four years away from football, Conley landed a contract with the UFL’s DC Defenders. Conley signed with the Cowboys last month in an NFL comeback attempt, but it didn’t take him long to decide it was time to step away.
In 31 career NFL games, Conley recorded four interceptions and 29 pass breakups.
Dallas Cowboys Have Had A Surprisingly Quiet Offseason
The Cowboys are coming off a third straight 12-win season that ended with an ugly loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round. Despite the trio of 12-win campaigns, Dallas only has one playoff win to show for it.
Owner Jerry Jones promised in January that his team would be “all-in” during the offseason, but the Cowboys have yet to make a single blockbuster trade or free agent signing since the new league year began.
The Cowboys will open their 2024 season with a Week 1 road contest against the Myles Garrett-led Cleveland Browns. That game will also mark the debut of Tom Brady as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports.
VIDEO: Dallas Cowboys Defensive Superstar Had To Be Carted Off The Field After Suffering Scary Injury At Training Camp
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams was carted off after suffering an injury during Sunday’s practice.According to Patrik Walker of the Dallas Cowboys official team website, Williams suffered an injury during individual drills and had to be carted off. Walker said it was a non-contact injury and Williams grabbed his knee while in visible pain.
Non-contact injuries are always concerning in football, and it’s obviously worrisome that Williams was holding his knee while being carted off. Serious injuries like a torn ACL or a torn Achilles often occur in non-contact situations.
The 25-year-old Williams was drafted in the second round (56th overall) by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. He has become a valuable player on their defense, recording 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
#Cowboys DE Sam Williams suffers an injury during practice and is carted off the field.
You can see Jerry Jones checking in with him to make sure he’s okay. pic.twitter.com/HhGxTErofW
— Sam Gannon (@SamGannon87) July 28, 2024
Though Williams wasn’t a designated starter last season, he suited up for all 17 of the Cowboys’ regular season games. He tallied a career-high 4.5 sacks, helping Dallas finish with the No. 5 scoring defense in 2023.
Dallas lost two productive pass-rushers in Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong Jr., who both signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. With those two gone, Williams was set to enjoy an increased role on defense in 2024.
We’ll provide more details on Williams’ status when they become available. Here’s hoping he avoided a serious injury.
Dallas Cowboys Can’t Afford Losing Sam Williams
Dallas owner Jerry Jones has received widespread criticism for his surprisingly quiet offseason, despite promising in January that his team would go “all-in.” The Cowboys have lost a handful of key contributors on both sides of the ball, and Jones’ inactivity in free agency and the trade market strongly suggest he was banking on internal growth from players like Williams.
If Williams ends up missing significant time, Jones will have no choice but to find some veteran talent to fill the void.
Dallas Cowboys Player & Former First-Round Pick Stuns Everyone By Announcing Retirement At Age 29
A Dallas Cowboys cornerback and former Ohio State Buckeyes star is calling it quits at the age of 29.
According to a report from ESPN’s Todd Archer, cornerback Gareon Conley told the Dallas Cowboys that he’s retiring from football. Rather than put him on the reserve/retired list, Conley was outright released by Dallas, Cowboys.com writer Nick Harris added.
Can confirm @toddarcher’s report that Gareon Conley informed the team that he intends to retire which led to his release. https://t.co/mD7548BFTi
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) July 28, 2024
Conley was drafted in the first round (24th overall) by the Oakland Raiders in 2019. Conley, who won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2014, spent two and a half seasons there before getting traded to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2019 deadline.
Unfortunately, Conley missed the entire 2020 season after the Texans put him on the injured reserve. He became a free agent in 2021 following the expiration of his rookie deal (Houston declined Conley’s fifth-year option), and went unsigned over the next two years.
Gareon Conley is retiring after a brief NFL comeback with the Dallas Cowboys. https://t.co/JjNgsl4LWZ
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 28, 2024
After four years away from football, Conley landed a contract with the UFL’s DC Defenders. Conley signed with the Cowboys last month in an NFL comeback attempt, but it didn’t take him long to decide it was time to step away.
In 31 career NFL games, Conley recorded four interceptions and 29 pass breakups.
Dallas Cowboys Have Had A Surprisingly Quiet Offseason
The Cowboys are coming off a third straight 12-win season that ended with an ugly loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round. Despite the trio of 12-win campaigns, Dallas only has one playoff win to show for it.
Owner Jerry Jones promised in January that his team would be “all-in” during the offseason, but the Cowboys have yet to make a single blockbuster trade or free agent signing since the new league year began.
The Cowboys will open their 2024 season with a Week 1 road contest against the Myles Garrett-led Cleveland Browns. That game will also mark the debut of Tom Brady as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports.
