Two months ago, DeVante Parker signed with the Philidelphia Eagles to be another jump-ball threat for Jalen Hurts and fill in the WR3 role in Nick Sirianni‘s offense.

The former Louisville pass-catcher has retired from the NFL after nine seasons. Parker first announced his decision to ESPN and said family became the most significant factor in ending his playing career.

“I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them. I want to be there for them whenever I can,” Parker told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Parker began his career with the Miami Dolphins, who took him with the 14th pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The South Florida squad sought him out for his ability to play above the rim, use his 6’3″ frame to box out corners and win jump balls. He had a tumultuous time with the Dolphins, as he only played one full season with them due to injury, but he did rack up 1,202 yards in that year, his only time crossing the 1,000-yard threshold in his career.

After seven years in the 305, Parker took his talents north and signed with the New England Patriots in 2021 for three years and $33 million. However, he never found his footing as the offense crumbled around Mac Jones the last couple of seasons. The Patriots asked too much of Parker, wanting him to be a true #1 WR, and his production suffered. After two seasons first-year head coach Jerod Mayo decided to release Parker.

The WR continues a trend around the league of retiring early. At the beginning of the off-season, DT Aaron Donald chose to hang up the cleats after ten years in the NFL without any known long-term injury history. With an extra game added to the schedule a few years ago, playing football will only take a greater beating on these athletes.

Wide receiver Devante Parker signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots Wednesday, extending his stay with head coach Bill Belichick as he attempts to rebuild his dynasty. Parker’s contract could be worth as much as $33 million and will include $14 million in guarantees and per-game bonuses.

Parker was entering the final year of his old deal with the Patriots this season, a four-year, $30.5 million contract originally negotiated by the Miami Dolphins in 2019. He could now be a Patriot for the foreseeable future as management attempts to revitalize the team’s stagnant offense.

Parker is not the only offensive piece New England is looking to sign, as several reports suggest that the team is pursuing free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was recently released by the Arizona Cardinals. Instead of a conflicting signing, Parker’s new deal could actually be an attempt to sway Hopkins further by adding support around him on offense. These signings are expected to help quarterback Mac Jones, who had a dreadful sophomore campaign after a promising rookie season.

Before arriving in New England via trade in 2022, Parker played seven seasons for the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him out of Louisville with the 14th overall pick in 2015. Though he has never appeared in a Pro Bowl, he has proven to be a competent receiver over the course of his career. In his first season with the struggling Patriots, he caught 31 of 47 targets for 539 yards and three touchdowns.

If New England manages to secure Hopkins and pair him with Parker, it could be a massive upgrade for new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

“I think the big thing for us right now is everybody is starting with a clean slate,” O’Brien said at his introductory press conference in April. “What you did in the past, whether it’s a player, coach, or anybody in the organization, it really has no bearing on what happens moving forward.”