Did John Ross retire from NFL? Why 40-yard dash record-holder called it quits during Chiefs training camp

Zac Al-Khateeb

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Did John Ross retire from NFL? Why 40-yard dash record-holder called it quits during Chiefs training camp image

John Ross, the fastest man in the history of the NFL Combine, is hanging up his cleats.

Ross, who was attending Chiefs training camp after signing a reserve/futures contract for the team in January, was placed on the retired/reserve list on Wednesday. That ends a six-year NFL career that started with a flash yet was hampered by injuries.

Ross, an All-America talent at Washington, turned in the fastest 40-yard time ever at the 2017 NFL Combine, running a record-4.22 in the event. Yet even that incredible display of speed proved a precursor to his NFL tenure: He strained his calves running it, and could not participate in further events.

MORE: Will anyone break John Ross' 40-yard dash combine record?

Here's everything you need to know about Ross' retirement, including his career earnings and NFL stats:

Why did John Ross retire?

Ross struggled with injuries that significantly limited his effectiveness over his five-year NFL career: four with the Bengals and one with the Giants. His last touch came in 2021 with the Giants, and he did not play for any team in 2022.

Ross signed a futures/reserve contract with the Chiefs as the defending Super Bowl champions attempted to bolster their wide receiver corps. The team placed him on the reserve/retired list on Wednesday, just four days into training camp. By doing so they retain his rights should he have a change of heart and decide to play again.

John Ross career earnings

Despite playing sparingly over the course of his NFL career, Ross made a not-insignificant amount of money: $18.95 million over five seasons, per Spotrac. He signed a four- year, $17.1 million contract with the Bengals in 2017, then a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Giants in 2021.

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John Ross NFL stats

Ross played just 37 career games — starting 21 — over five years. In those games, he accumulated 62 catches for 957 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns.

His best two seasons in the NFL came in 2018 and 2019, his second and third years with the Bengals: He grabbed 49 receptions on 114 targets for 716 yards and 10 total touchdowns. Below is a rundown of his statistics in Cincinnati and New York:

Year Team Catches Yards TDs
2017 Bengals 0 0 0
2018 Bengals 21 210 7
2019 Bengals 28 506 3
2020 Bengals 2 17 0
2021 Giants 11 224 1
Career — 62 957 11

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.