Former Cardinals Star David Johnson Announces Retirement After Eight NFL Seasons

David Johnson, a standout running back for the Arizona Cardinals, has announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons.

David Johnson, the former All-Pro running back for the Arizona Cardinals, has announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons in the league. The 32-year-old Johnson made the announcement on his Instagram account on Sunday, expressing his gratitude for the opportunities and experiences he has had during his football career.

"There's been highs and lows, but I've felt very fortunate and honored by the people who've supported me along this journey," Johnson said in his retirement post. "The relationships and brotherhoods I've formed with so many of my dawgs will never be forgotten."

Despite not being a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, Johnson excelled at Northern Iowa, rushing for over 6,400 yards and scoring 63 touchdowns in four seasons. His impressive performance caught the attention of the Cardinals, who drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Johnson initially served as a backup to Chris Johnson but seized the opportunity when the elder Johnson suffered an injury. In his first career start, David Johnson exploded for 120 total yards and a touchdown, and two weeks later, he rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"2 games in, getting my uniform and cleats put in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton," Johnson wrote in his retirement post, reflecting on his early success.

In 2016, Johnson established himself as the Cardinals' primary running back, rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns while also catching 80 passes for 879 yards and four more touchdowns. His 20 total touchdowns remain a franchise record for the most in a single season, and he earned his first and only All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

Johnson spent five seasons with the Cardinals, amassing 3,128 rushing yards, 2,219 receiving yards, and 48 total touchdowns. He joined the Houston Texans in 2020 and spent his first season as their starter, rushing for 691 yards and catching passes for 314 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he fell into a backup role in 2021 and later joined the New Orleans Saints in 2022, where he played just five games.

"When it's all said and done, I really hope I impacted at least 1 person on and off the field in a positive way," Johnson said. "I hope I was able to pay it forward, from the countless people who guided and taught me the right way to go about business, and giving back with integrity and a humble demeanor!"

Johnson expressed his gratitude to the coaches who helped him hone his skills and to God for giving him the opportunity to succeed in the NFL. He also acknowledged that while he may not know what his future career path will be, he hopes it will bring him the same passion and fulfillment that football did.