The New Orleans Saints have lost starting cornerback Patrick Robinson after he informed the team of his decision to go for an early retirement on Wednesday.

Robinson’s retirement is only one day after the team discovered Pro Bowl Kicker Wil Lutz has to undergo surgery to repair a core muscle injury and will miss significant time. Furthermore, Lutz’s discovery is also the same day All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas accused the team of attempting to “damage” his reputation. This was in response to the news of the team being infuriated with Thomas’ decision to wait until June to have ankle surgery that will sideline him indefinitely. 

Robinson was a first-round pick of the Saints in 2010 and played out his rookie contract before leaving to play for various teams. He had the biggest moment of his career playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, where he is remembered for his pick-six in the NFC Championship game that turned the tide against the Vikings and helped send them to Super Bowl LII.

Robinson returned to New Orleans in 2018 on a four-year, $20 million contract. He suffered a broken ankle that season and missed all but one start. The cornerback worked his way back to being a key player in 2020, gathering two interceptions last season before nursing an injury again in December.

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a two-year deal with veteran defensive end Chris Long on Tuesday.

Chris Long Signs Two-Year Deal with Eagles

Long helped lead the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl LI victory over the Atlanta Falcons in February. A No. 2 overall draft pick by the Rams out of Virginia in 2008, the 32-year-old spent eight seasons in St. Louis before he joined the Patriots in 2016.

Long has 342 tackles, 58.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 130 games.

He recorded four sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 16 games with the Patriots and was a key member of a defense that allowed an NFL-low 250 points.

In an Instagram post, Long thanked Patriots fans, his teammates and coach Bill Belichick, and added: “This has zero to do with money. … It’s the right move in my heart because I want to get back to being the player I was before. I’m thankful for my role this year, but as a competitor, I’m itching to do what I do best.”

Later on Tuesday, the Eagles also signed cornerback Patrick Robinson to a one-year deal.

Robinson, a first-round pick (32nd overall) of the New Orleans Saints in 2010, has played in 81 regular-season games with 49 starts and has 260 tackles, ten interceptions, 59 passes defended and three forced fumbles. After five years with the Saints, Robinson played for the San Diego Chargers in 2015 and the Indianapolis Colts in 2016. Robinson originally signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract with the Colts. The 29-year-old only played seven games last season due to a variety of injuries.

The Eagles finished the 2016 season tied for 16th in sacks with 34.

Caption:SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 03: Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Chris Long #91 of the St. Louis Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)