After 10 seasons in the NFL, LB Jordan Hicks is hanging up his cleats and officially retiring.
He made his retirement announcement on Instagram, sharing the following message:
After 23 years of playing football, I am officially retiring from the NFL.
Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined. Purpose, discipline, brotherhood, and a platform to impact others. But most importantly it showed me who I am outside the game.
I leave this chapter with deep gratitude for every lesson, challenge, and victory. I'm proud of what I accomplished on the field, but even more proud of the man I've become because of it.
To my teammates, coaches, fans, and most importantly my family...thank you for your unwavering support throughout this journey. I'm looking forward to this next season of life and all that it brings.
I walk away with peace knowing I gave football all I had, and that the best is yet to come.
Forever Grateful,
Jordan Hicks
Originally drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, he played four seasons in Philadelphia before signing as an unrestricted free agent with the Cardinals in 2019. He then played three seasons in Arizona before he was waived and signed as a free agent by the Vikings in 2022. He spent three seasons in Minnesota before joining the Browns ahead of the 2024 season.
While in Cleveland, Hicks played an integral role in the linebacker room. As one of the players to wear the green dot during the 2024 season, Hicks helped relay the defensive plays. He also served as a veteran leader in a young linebacker room working to establish their roles.
"There's times where I'd say, 'Hey Jordan, you've seen this, what do you think about this' or 'What's the easiest way to say this' or 'How have you done this to be productive?' Because he's smart, he's so aware, he's so tough, he knows how to train his body," linebackers coach Jason Tarver said during OTAs. "Jordan's another one – he's in the moment. He goes to the next play really fast. So, there's times where I'll start the meeting, 'Hey Jordan, I'm going to talk about this today, what do you think?' It's highly valuable, in just how he portrays himself."
Hicks started all 12 games he played during the 2024 season, recording 78 tackles, four tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks and four passes defensed. He also dealt with injuries during the 2024 season that caused him to miss time. Hicks suffered ribs and elbow injuries against the Giants in Week 3. Hicks played the following week against the Raiders, leaving with an elbow injury after just five snaps. In Week 5, Hicks dealt with a triceps injury per the Week 5 injury report. He missed four of the following five games before the Browns' Week 10 bye week, playing in Week 7 against the Bengals. Yet through those injuries he still provided guidance and leadership to a young linebacker room, being present and a participant in meetings.
Hicks ends his 10-year NFL career playing in 134 career games with 131 starts. He recorded 952 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 38 quarterback hits, 16.5 sacks, 11 fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles and 53 passes defensed. He also had one interception returned for a touchdown and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
"A player and a person that I have an amazing amount of respect for," head coach Kevin Stefanski said before training camp on July 25. "Jordan played really, really good football for us. Played at an extremely high level and he was even better off the field in what he was able to give to this football team. An amazing career and one that needs to be celebrated. We support him in his decision. We'll miss him, but that is somebody that I have a ton of respect for."
