Veteran LB Markus Golden Announces Retirement From NFL

Longtime Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden has officially announced his retirement from the National Football League. Golden spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He took to Instagram to make the announcement on Wednesday.

“Football has always been more than just a sport to me,” Golden’s statement began. “I’ve officially retired from the NFL after playing the game I’ve loved all my life. I feel truly blessed to have been able to live out the dreams and goals I set for myself as a kid.

“A Big thank you to God, my family, friends, St. Louis, Matthew Dickey Boys & Girls Club, Affton, Hutchinson Community College, Mizzou, The Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I’m also incredibly grateful to all the teammates and coaches I had the privilege to work with along the way.

“To all the incredible fans, Thank You! Your passion and energy fueled me, and I’m grateful for each and every one of you.”

Golden is retiring at the age of 33 years old. The University of Missouri product was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. He spent four seasons with the Cardinals in his first tenure with the team, and then spent a year and a half with the Giants before being traded back to the Cardinals where he’d spend the next two and a half seasons. He finished his career with the Steelers in 2023.

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Golden finishes his NFL career with 343 tackles, 68 tackles for loss, and 51 sacks across 127 games played. He had one interception, 11 forced fumbles, and five fumbles recovered, including one fumble recovery for a touchdown as a member of the Giants. He picked up a Tom Brady fumble and ran it back 42 yards for an impressive touchdown.

Golden had three career seasons with double-digit sacks, including a career-high 12.5 sacks in his sophomore season with Arizona in 2016. He had 10 sacks in 2019 with the Giants and 11 sacks with the Cardinals in 2021.

Last year with the Steelers, Golden appeared in 16 games, securing 20 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. He hit free agency this offseason, but has now elected to retire rather than continuing his playing career.

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