Demaryius Thomas retires, will be honored vs. NY Jets

Demaryius Thomas, who spent his final season with the New York Jets in 2019, will retire as a member of the Denver Broncos.

Former New York Jets and Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement on Monday, doing so as a member of the Broncos.

“I’m Demaryius Thomas, and I’ve finally come to a decision to hang it up. I’m going to retire, and I’m going to retire a Denver Bronco.” pic.twitter.com/Q6nNrxc59B

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 28, 2021

“I’m honored, I’m grateful. I’m appreciative,” Thomas said in a video released by the Broncos, which features the receiver looking back on some of his finest moments in orange. “There are so many things I could say. I’m just happy to say that I’m done and it did me well.”

Thomas played what became the final season of his NFL career with the Jets in 2019, earning 36 receptions for 433 yards and one score. Reuniting with former offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Thomas joined the Jets after spending the preceding preseason with the New England Patriots, being sent to New York through a rare trade between the AFC East rivals.

New England received a 2021 sixth-round pick from the Jets for Thomas’ services. That pick eventually turned into current Jets linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen, as the Patriots sent the pick back to the Jets in a trade during the second day of the 2020 NFL draft.

That season capped off an NFL career that saw him earn 9,763 receiving yards on 724 receptions, marks each good for fourth-best in the 2010s. In gridiron serendipity, Thomas will be honored by the Broncos when the Jets visit for Denver’s home opener at Empower Field at Mile High on September 26.

The Georgia Tech alum entered the league as the 22nd overall pick in the 2010 draft. Thomas made a strong first impression on the league when he became a rare receiver to get the best of Darrelle Revis during an October matchup in Denver, conquering the Island for a 17-yard touchdown in what became a 24-20 Jets victory.

Thomas would go on to make five consecutive Pro Bowls (2012-16) and two All-Pro teams. He’d also make his mark as a prime postseason performer. The receiver helped end the 2012 AFC Wild Card playoff round against Pittsburgh through an 80-yard overtime score from Tim Tebow on the first play from scrimmage and would later set a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions in the game’s 48th edition at MetLife Stadium.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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