Veteran cornerback Ronald Darby has decided to retire from professional football, informing the Houston Texans of his intentions, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. This announcement comes shortly after Darby joined the Texans earlier this offseason, marking the end of a decade-long NFL career.
Ronald Darby’s NFL Journey Through Multiple Teams
Drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Darby made an immediate impact after his college career at Florida State. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 in exchange for wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round pick. After completing his initial contract, Darby had a brief return to Philadelphia on a one-year deal.
Following that, he signed with the Washington Football Team on a one-year contract. In 2021, Darby secured a three-year, $30 million deal with the Denver Broncos that included $19 million guaranteed, but he was released by Denver after just two seasons. He then signed one-year contracts with both the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played 13 games in the 2024 season, registering 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, and nine pass deflections.
Career Highlights and Statistics
Over the course of his ten NFL seasons, Darby appeared in 118 games for six different teams. His career totals include 447 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, eight interceptions, and 106 pass deflections. These numbers reflect his consistent presence in the defensive backfield across multiple organizations.
Impact of Retirement on NFL Teams and Future Outlook
Darby’s unexpected retirement leaves the Texans and his previous teams adjusting their defensive backfield plans early in the offseason. After contributing solid performances and adapting to various defensive schemes, his departure signals the close of a reliable veteran career marked by steady production and experience.
As teams near minicamps and training camps, the void left by Darby may inspire young defensive backs to step into larger roles while front offices seek additional depth to fill this gap.