Former Bengals LB announces retirement

Evans announced he has retired from football after playing five seasons in the NFL, all with the Bengals. The 29-year-old had his 2021 campaign cut short by an ACL tear, and he was out of football altogether the following season. In total, Evans made 65 appearances in Cincinnati, starting nine games across his first two years with the team.

The Oklahoma product’s most impactful campaign came in 2018 when he totaled 61 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Evans added three pass breakups and one of his two career interceptions that year, but from that point on, he was primarily used on special teams. 

Following the end of his NFL tenure, the former sixth-rounder played with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons before the league’s merger with the USFL.

The newly created UFL held a dispersal draft this winter, and Evans was selected by the DC Defenders. He was waived shortly thereafter, however, which led to this decision to hang up his cleats. 

Evans was one of several linebackers who worked out for the Cowboys last October before their Rashaan Evans signing. He will not pursue a repeat of that attempted NFL comeback.

“Over the many years of my football career, I have dedicated so much time, hard work, dedication and sacrifice to hit the goals I have set for myself,” Evans’ announcement reads in part. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed what this journey has been. I’ve enjoyed every game, practice, workout, wins, and losses, ups and downs.”

Evans played out his rookie contract with Cincinnati before re-signing on a one-year deal. That brought his career NFL earnings to $3.77M. He will now turn his attention to his post-playing days rather than attempting to find a new spring league opportunity.