Parker Retires

Although OTAs just began for the Eagles on Monday, they’ve already lost a player from the roster.

Wide receiver DeVante Parker, a veteran signed in the offseason, has decided to call it quits.

After nine NFL seasons, Eagles WR DeVante Parker has decided to retire, he said Monday night.

As much as he looked forward to his time with the Eagles, Parker decided the time had come to spend more time with his family that includes his four children.

“I want to see my kids,… pic.twitter.com/enakIQc4LT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2024

The 31-year-old Parker, a 2015 first-round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins, signed a one-year deal in March after last year recording 33 receptions for 394 yards with the Patriots.

GETTY IMAGES: Veteran WR DeVante Parker retires after signing a 1-year deal with the Eagles in the offseason.

The Eagles were already thin at backup receiver behind starters A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, with Parker and veteran Parris Campbell both added through free agency while team lost No. 3 receiver Quez Watkins to the Steelers.

The team also used veterans Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus in the slot last year. Jones remains unsigned and Zaccheaus signed with the Commanders.

The Eagles drafted two wide receivers on Day 3 last month – fifth-rounder Ainais Smith and sixth-rounder Johnny Wilson. Smith is a 5-foot-9 projected slot receiver while the towering Wilson, a 6-foot-7 receiver, has outside-inside versatility.

The Eagles are no strangers to offseason veteran retirements for recent signees.

Last year, linebacker Myles Jack announced his retirement just two weeks after signing with the team in August, though he returned later in the season.

In 2020, linebacker Jatavis Brown, a free-agent addition, retired in training camp after signing with the team that March expecting to compete for a starting job.

– Geoff Mosher and Benjamin Paul contributed to this story.