Rams' McVay Reveals Why Ex Patriots RB Sony Michel Retired

After five seasons in the NFL, former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel decided this week to hang up his cleats.

In a rather sudden and unexpected news drop, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay announced during a post-practice press conference that the former Patriots first-round draft pick informed him that morning that he was going to retire from football.

“It’s a bummer, but his body is feeling like it’s talking to him, and I have nothing but respect and appreciation for the competitor that he is,” McVay said. “I love Sony and we’ll continue to stay in touch."

Coming out of the University of Georgia, hopes were high for Michel as he was selected by the Patriots with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

In his time "between the hedges," Michel put together an accomplished college career, rushing for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns while helping the Bulldogs win an SEC Championship and make the college football playoff national championship game in the same season.

Michel's performance against the Oklahoma Sooners in the college football playoff semifinal game was the driving force for Georgia's victory as he rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. One of those touchdowns included the game-sealing one in overtime.

Yet, Michel's time in the pros didn't go as smoothly as it did in college. After helping the Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl, as the then-rookie back set the NFL's rushing touchdown record (six) in the playoffs, injuries seemingly held him back.

After four seasons in New England, Michel had rushed for 2,689 yards on 620 carries as the Patriots declined his fifth-year option before trading him to the Rams before the 2021 season.

Following another Super Bowl win, this time with the Rams, Michel spent last season with two teams, signing with the Miami Dolphins in free agency before being cut in August. After he was let go by the Dolphins, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he'd finish out the season with just 106 yards on 36 carries.

Last season was rock-bottom for Michel as he finished with the lowest carries and rushing yards of his career, yet that didn't stop him from returning to the Rams this offseason, albeit for just a few weeks before calling it quits on his career.

Despite not living up to the lofty expectations of a first-round pick, Michel still earned a lot of respect from McVay.

“What a great career this guy has had,” McVay added. “The epitome of a pro, a great competitor, and his next chapter is going to be exciting. He’s got so many gifts that he can offer to people, and so we’ll wish him the best.”

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