Patriots' Veteran Lineman Retires
FOXBORO — New England Patriots veteran offensive lineman James Ferentz is retiring from the NFL after eight seasons on the gridiron.
The 34-year-old announced his decision via a heartfelt social media posting on Monday afternoon.
“After taking the time to collect my thoughts and speaking with my life, Skylar, I’ve decided to retire from playing football,” Ferentz wrote.
Cred: NBC Sports Images
In addition to expressing his gratitude to his family, close friends and former coaches and teammates, Ferentz shared some pointed sentiments to those who helped make his pro football dream become reality.
“To the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots organizations, thank you for the combined ten years (eight spent on an active roster) of my career,” he stated. “Thank you to Bill O’Brien, Gary Kubiak and Bill Belichick for giving me the opportunity to play pro football when no one else would.”
Unsurprisingly, Ferentz also took a moment to thank a coach who has been both an inspiration and mentor to so many who have patrolled the Patriots offensive line.
“To [Patriots Hall of Fame offensive line coach] Dante Scarnecchia, thank you for helping me get the best from myself.”
Instagram @jamesferentz
Ferentz joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2014. The Iowa City native spent two seasons with the Texans before being claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos in 2015. Ferentz was a part of the Broncos squad which earned a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
In May 2017, Ferentz signed with the Patriots. During his tenure in New England, he appeared in 40 games for the organization, including ten starts. Ferentz was a member of the active roster New England’s sixth championship team, which defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII.
Throughout the past two seasons, Ferentz was initially cut by the Patriots during roster reductions at the conclusion of training camp. In each instance, he was quickly signed to New England’s practice squad, where he became one of the team’s primary reserve options. In 2022, he appeared in 12 games, making three starts. He was charged will allowing four pressures and two sacks, while taking 269 of New England’s offensive snaps. In 2023, Ferentz saw his role reduced to playing one game — the Pats’ Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos, in which he started, yet played on only seven percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
Lastly, Ferentz expressed his gratitude to the New England region in which he and his family lived for seven of his eight playing seasons.
A special thank you to the towns of Foxboro and Norfolk, Mass., where my family luckily has called home for the past seven years.
“Thank you to all of the wonderful people we have met along the way.”
