Eugene Monroe Reportedly Will Announce His Retirement

The Baltimore Ravens announced they released offensive tackle Eugene Monroe on June 15, and while the veteran had multiple suitors as he explored the open market, the veteran reportedly has decided to call it a career.

Josina Anderson of ESPN reported Thursday that Monroe "is planning to retire," with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirming the report, noting Monroe would expand on his reasoning via The Players Tribune.

Because of a concussion and a shoulder injury that required surgery in December, Monroe played in just six games with the Ravens in 2015. It was his second full season with the team after coming over from the Jacksonville Jaguars in the middle of 2013.

Monroe was a solid tackle who protected quarterback Joe Flacco's blind side admirably while sealing off the edge in the running game. The problem was that he appeared in just 17 games over the past two seasons, which hardly lived up to the expectations the team had when it signed him to a five-year, $37.5 million contract extension, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

However, the Ravens didn't express their desire to move Monroe until June 14, when head coach Harbaugh told Zrebiec of the team's intentions.

It was a little over three weeks after Monroe wrote a feature for the Players' Tribune in which he advocated for the use of marijuana as a painkiller for injured NFL players. Harbaugh told ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley, "I promise you, he does not speak for the organization."

Monroe then tweeted this last Friday, which was the first sign the Ravens weren't happy with him:

Regardless of the reason Baltimore released him, Monroe's departure allows the Ravens to insert 2016 first-round draft pick Ronnie Stanley at left tackle and get him playing full time as quickly as possible.

For teams in desperate need of an upgrade along the offensive line—like the Giants, who averaged under four yards per rush last season—Monroe could have been a solid target to bring in and fortify protection with. His retirement eliminates a potential option for teams who needed an injury replacement once training camp started.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.