Sony Michel Announces Retirement After 5 NFL Seasons with Rams, Patriots, Chargers

Running back Sony Michel, who was most recently in training camp with the Los Angeles Rams, has retired after five NFL seasons.

Rams head coach Sean McVay relayed the news to reporters on Saturday, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, who provided more information:

Michel entered the NFL after the New England Patriots selected him with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He proceeded to rush for 931 yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries (4.5 YPC) during his rookie year, which ended with a 13-3 win over the Rams in the Super Bowl.

Michel scored the lone touchdown in that game on a two-yard rush in the fourth quarter to give New England a 9-3 lead. He finished with 94 rushing yards on 18 carries.

He was fantastic in the playoffs thanks to 336 rushing yards and six scores in just three games. Michel notably dominated the Los Angeles Chargers (24/129/3) in a 41-28 AFC Divisional Round win before adding 29 carries for 113 yards and two scores in a 37-31 overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Michel amassed a career-high 1,006 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in 2019 as he worked as the clear RB1. Unfortunately, injuries held him to just nine games in 2020 due to a quadriceps injury.

In Aug. 2021, the Pats decided to roll with Damien Harris as their starting running back and traded Michel to the Rams. Michel led the team with 845 rushing yards en route to helping guide L.A. to a Super Bowl victory.

Michel landed with the Miami Dolphins in the offseason as a free agent, but the team later released him. He ended up signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, rushing for 106 yards on 36 carries. Michel ended up with the Rams again in June.

The ex-Bulldog only played five years, but he put together a nice resume during his brief NFL stay. He was the leading rusher on two separate Super Bowl-winning teams and registered one 1,000-yard season. Michel also rushed for a respectable 4.2 yards per carry and finished second on the 2018 Pats in yards from scrimmage in both the regular season and postseason.