Former first-round pick Andrus Peat continued his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. But it appears that will be his final season in the league.
Peat announced on his Instagram account Friday afternoon that he is retiring from the NFL.
“11 years in the league. I gave it everything I had,” wrote Peat, via New Orleans Saints analyst Brenden Ertle. “I may be walking away from football, but not from the lessons it taught me.
“Thank you to my coaches, teammates, and especially my brothers in the trenches. I’m grateful beyond words that I was able to live out this dream.
“On to the next chapter with my wife and sons. All glory to God.”
Peat spent his final NFL season with the Steelers. He dressed for six games, starting three of them, the last of which was the Week 14 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens.
His final NFL appearance also came against the Ravens during Week 18.
Andrus Peat Announces NFL Retirement
GettyFormer Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Andrus Peat announced Friday he is retiring from the NFL.
Peat became a free agent for the third consecutive March this past spring. He joined the Steelers in August last year. But unless he has a change of heart about playing, Peat won’t be signing with a team this preseason.
The New Orleans Saints selected Peat at No. 13 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He became a three-time Pro Bowler while predominantly playing left guard.
In nine seasons with the Saints, Peat started 102 contests. Two years ago, he played his first campaign outside of New Orleans for the Las Vegas Raiders. In Las Vegas, Peat started one game while dressing for 15 contests.
Peat played college football at Stanford. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and a spot on the All-American team during his collegiate career.
Peat’s Tenure With Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyOffensive lineman Andrus Peat started three games for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Peat was mostly a healthy scratch during his Steelers tenure. He made his first appearance in Week 10 with Isaac Seumalo out because of injury.
Peat technically started that game because the Steelers lined up with six offensive linemen to begin the contest. Spencer Anderson, who typically was Pittsburgh’s sixth lineman last season, started at left guard in place of Seumalo.
In Week 10, Peat only played eight offensive snaps. He averaged 41 offensive snaps in his other two Steelers starts during Weeks 13 and 14.
Peat made those other two starts at left tackle. He could have continued to play at that spot with Broderick Jones sidelined after Thanksgiving, but in Week 14, Peat suffered a concussion.
Dylan Cook then took over left tackle and didn’t give up the job the rest of the season. When Peat returned healthy, he dressed again but played in a reserve role.
Peat played 132 NFL games over 11 seasons. He started 106 of those contests.
According to Pro Football Focus, Peat experienced the best part of his career in 2016 and 2017. His PFF player grades declined dramatically beginning in 2018. But ironically, Peat began receiving Pro Bowl recognition that year.
Peat made three straight Pro Bowls from 2018-20.
Former Steelers Starter Announces NFL Retirement