As expected, Joe Staley is calling time on his NFL career.
The 35-year-old Pro Bowl lineman officially announced his retirement on Saturday in a Twitter post, citing the toll that football was taking on his body.
It’s been a hell of a ride. Thank you pic.twitter.com/V2VB2xKDzp
— Joe Staley (@jstaley74) April 25, 2020
Staley’s retirement does not come as a surprise. In fact, it was a factor behind the 49ers making a trade for Trent Williams earlier Saturday.
Staley has been one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the NFL over the last decade. Between his neck condition and a major injury, however, he clearly knew it was time. The 49ers will certainly miss him, but they acquired a more than capable replacement for him.
