As reported by WWLTV, linebacker Kiko Alonso is retiring from the NFL at the tender age of 31. This week, Alonso inked a contract with the New Orleans Saints, putting pen to paper on the agreement on Friday. However, after just one training camp session, he made the decision to put his cleats away permanently.
When Alonso took a year off in 2021, he actually played his last NFL game for the Saints in 2019. He was picked by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Oregon, and he exploded into the game. In all, he had 159 stops, including 11 for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions, earning him a place on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team.
He missed the whole 2014 season due to an ACL rupture he received before the start of his second season. In exchange for LeSean McCoy, he was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles just before the start of the 2015 season.
Alonso hadn’t played since 2020 and attempted to return this season
Miami Dolphins acquired him after one season in Philadelphia. Before the 2019 season, the Dolphins traded for the linebacker, who has a total of 115 tackles in each of his first three seasons in the league with the team. Since then, the 31-year-old has been moved four times – a record he holds with Eric Dickerson.
With 588 total tackles, three sacks, and ten interceptions across 86 regular-season games, Alonso has a solid resume. That the Saints will want to sign another experienced linebacker in free agency seems plausible in light of this situation.
