### Ronald Darby Retires After a Decade in the NFL: A Career Marked by Triumph and Trials Ronald Darby, a veteran cornerback in the NFL, has announced his retirement after ten seasons in the league. The 31-year-old informed the Houston Texans of his decision, which comes as a surprise given that he had signed a one-year contract with the team earlier this offseason. Darby’s career spanned six teams, including a notable tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was part of the squad that won Super Bowl LII. His journey, however, was marred by injuries that impacted his performance in later years, ultimately leading to his decision to retire before even playing a snap for the Texans [https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-solid-career-ring-show-it-nfl-fans-pay-tribute-ronald-darby-retiring-decade-long-career][https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nfl/news/houston-texans-cb-ronald-darby-announces-surprise-retirement-after-10-nfl-seasons/articleshow/121580460.cms]. ### Overview of Ronald Darby's NFL Career and Retirement 1. **Career Highlights**: - Drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. - Played for six teams: Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars. - Won Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. 2. **Injury Challenges**: - Suffered a torn ACL while with the Eagles in 2018 and again with the Broncos in 2022. - His performance declined in recent seasons, culminating in a lackluster showing with the Jaguars in 2024. 3. **Retirement Announcement**: - Darby signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Texans in March 2025 but decided to retire shortly thereafter. - His retirement was confirmed by multiple sources, including ESPN's Adam Schefter [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/ronald-darby-informs-texans-of-his-retirement][https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/ronald-darby-retirement-texans-jaguars-20357580.php]. ### Supporting Evidence of Darby's Career and Retirement - **Career Statistics**: - Played in 118 games with 107 starts. - Recorded 8 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 447 combined tackles throughout his career. - Notable performance in Super Bowl LII: 4 tackles and 2 passes defended [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ex_super_bowl_champion_defender_announces_retirement_from_nfl/s1_127_42275775][https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/story/_/id/45437647/cb-ronald-darby-retiring-10-nfl-seasons]. - **Injury Impact**: - Injuries significantly affected his playing time and performance, particularly in the latter part of his career. - His last season with the Jaguars saw him start in 12 games but struggle to maintain his previous level of play [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/former_bills_second_round_cornerback_abruptly_retires_from_nfl/s1_16670_42275858][https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/houston_texans_db_shockingly_retires_before_2025_season/s1_16682_42275670]. ### Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience and Achievement **Ronald Darby’s retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in his life and career.** 1. **Career Summary**: - Darby enjoyed a successful career, highlighted by a Super Bowl victory and a reputation as a solid cornerback. - His journey through multiple teams reflects both his adaptability and the challenges he faced due to injuries. 2. **Future Outlook**: - With his retirement, the Texans will need to rely on younger talent in their secondary, including recent draft picks and established players [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/former_commanders_cornerback_announces_retirement_after_10_year_career/s1_16721_42276126][https://www.clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-super-bowl-winning-db-sudden-retirement]. 3. **Final Thoughts**: - Darby leaves behind a legacy of resilience, having navigated the highs and lows of a decade-long NFL career. His contributions to the teams he played for, especially the Eagles, will be remembered by fans and teammates alike.