Former Dolphins receiving leader announces his retirement from NFL

Aug 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Miami Dolphins helmet lays on the field prior to the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

One veteran receiver has caught his final pass in the NFL.

DeVante Parker revealed to Adam Schefter of ESPN on Monday that he has decided to retire from the NFL. Parker, a father of four, said that the time has come for him to spend more time with his family.

“I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them,” Parker was quoted as saying. “I want to be there for them whenever I can.

“I’m just going to take things slowly,” added Parker about his future, noting that he has no definitive professional plans in the short-term.

Parker, 31, was taken by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft (No. 14 overall) and spent the first seven seasons of his career with them. That included leading the team with 1,202 receiving yards and nine receiving TDs during the 2019 season. Parker was then traded to the New England Patriots before the 2022 campaign and played out the final two seasons of his career with them (logging 33 catches for 394 yards last season).

It seemed like Parker was poised to continue his NFL career as he signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in March. But Parker is reversing course just two months later and will now officially step away as a player, perhaps eventually moving into this off-field pursuit.