Connor Halliday, Redskins Undrafted Rookie QB, Reportedly Retires

Washington rookie quarterback Connor Halliday is walking away from the NFL before taking a snap in minicamp. 

According to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post, Halliday was not present during the team's first rookie minicamp Friday, with a source saying the former Washington State signal-caller opted to retire:

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After passing on the opportunity to take a quarterback in this year’s draft, the Washington Redskins appeared to have their long-shot in Washington State’s Connor Halliday.

But when the three-day rookie minicamp got underway Friday, Halliday was not present and no longer on the roster, the team confirmed. According to a source, Halliday decided to retire before his NFL career, brief as it was, had gotten started.

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Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Washington head coach Jay Gruden said that Halliday didn't offer a reason for his decision and just chose to go home.

“I can’t speak for the decision that he made,” Gruden told reporters Saturday. “He just chose to jump on a plane and head to the house. I haven’t had a chance to talk with him yet. He just left me a voice message, but I’m sure he had personal reasons behind it.”

Washington signed Halliday as an undrafted free agent following the draft two weeks ago. He would have been a long shot to make the active roster with Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy already in place, but the team could have found a spot for him on the practice squad. 

It's a dramatic change for Halliday, who recently said in an interview with Tom Schad of the Washington Times that he was looking forward to the opportunity to compete for a job and had good things to say about Washington's coaching staff.

"Yeah I got here Sunday," Halliday said. "It’s been real great ever since. I really appreciate the opportunity that Coach Gruden and Mr. McCloughan are giving me. Ever since I’ve been here, we have quarterback meetings in the morning, then we’re out on the field for drills."

Even though Washington has depth at quarterback on the roster, it's still nice to have options. Halliday may have been facing long odds, but he did have a successful college career, with over 11,000 yards and 90 passing touchdowns. 

It's not easy to be an undrafted player in the NFL, though quarterbacks are always in demand. Halliday may have been able to make an impression in camp and earn an opportunity with Washington or somewhere else. Instead, he chose to go another direction with his life.