Former Patriot DeVante Parker Retires From the NFL

DeVante Parker announced his retirement from the NFL. The New England Patriots released the wide receiver on March 11 this offseason. He agreed to a new deal with the Philadelphia Eagles just a day later. However, Parker has decided to call it a career before playing with Philadelphia. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news.

“I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them,” Schefter quoted Parker as saying. “I want to be there for them whenever I can.” Parker is the father of four children.

NFL Career

The Miami Dolphins selected Parker in the first round (No. 14 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Louisville. He spent seven seasons in Miami, totaling 235 receptions for 4,727 yards and 24 touchdowns. DeVante Parker enjoyed a career year with the Dolphins in 2019. He finished with 72 receptions, 1,202 yards, and nine touchdowns that season.

Miami traded Parker to New England on Apr. 2, 2022, along with a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft (No. 158). Miami received a third-round pick in that same draft (No. 77).

During his two seasons with the Patriots, Parker appeared in 26 games. He caught a total of 64 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. Last season he caught 33 passes for 394 yards. He did not score any touchdowns.

DeVante Parker ends his NFL career with 369 catches for 5,266 yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. According to Schefter, the newly retired receiver has no immediate plans aside from some family time. “I’m just going to take things slowly,” said Parker.