DeVante Parker retires before his time with Eagles ever began

DeVante Parker’s time with the Eagles is over before it ever began. 

Parker, 31, ended his NFL career on Monday, telling ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he would retire. 

The wide receiver had signed with Philadelphia in March after spending the past two seasons with the Patriots. 

The decision capped a nine-year NFL career that spanned seven seasons with the Dolphins before the move to New England. 

Parker told the NFL insider that he wanted the chance to spend more time with his family, which includes his four children. 

“I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them,” Parker said. “I want to be there for them whenever I can.”

Over the course of his time in the NFL, Parker had 402 catches for 5,660 yards and 27 touchdowns. 

He was a first-round pick by the Dolphins in 2015 and recorded the best season of his career in 2019 with Miami when Parker made 72 catches for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns.

Parker admitted that he’s going to miss the camaraderie he develops inside NFL locker rooms. 

“The brotherhood in the locker room on whichever team it was. Everyone always welcome me with open arms, and I appreciated them for that,” Parker said. “I also appreciate the Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the opportunity. I always will have love for the Dolphins and their organization. And I want to thank all the teams, the Patriots and the Eagles, too. But the Dolphins were the first team, and I really want to thank them.”

The 31-year-old will have plenty of free time now that his playing career has come to an end and he said that he wasn’t in any rush to decide what he’ll do next. 

“I’m just going to take things slowly,” Parker said.