Keanu Neal Retires After 8 NFL Seasons; Pro Bowl Safety Played for Falcons, Cowboys

After sitting out the 2024 season, veteran safety Keanu Neal has officially called it a career.

Neal announced on Instagram that he has retired from the NFL after eight seasons in the league:

Neal last played during the 2023 season, appearing in nine games with eight starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being placed on injured reserve. The Steelers released him prior to the 2024 campaign due to a failed physical.

The 29-year-old entered the league as the No. 17 pick in the 2016 draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He quickly established himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2017 after producing 116 total tackles, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Unfortunately, Neal's promising start to his career was derailed by injuries. He suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the opening game of the 2018 season, and he suffered a torn Achilles three games into the 2019 campaign, prematurely ending his year once again.

After departing the Falcons following the 2020 campaign, Neal spent one season each with the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Steelers in 2023. During his lone season in Dallas, he switched from safety to linebacker.

Neal finishes his career with 523 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 22 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, four interceptions and 2.5 sacks.