Nasir Adderley’s Return to Football
Nasir Adderley made headlines when he decided to retire from football at just 25 years old. Fast forward three years, and he’s now preparing to re-enter the sport.
At 28, Adderley has secured a contract with the Colts, as announced by the team on Tuesday. It’s certainly a surprising twist.
Originally drafted in the second round by the Chargers in 2019, Adderley spent four seasons in Los Angeles. During that time, he accumulated three interceptions, defended 12 passes, and recorded 232 tackles before stepping away from the game in March 2023. In his resignation announcement, he emphasized prioritizing his health.
In a candid Instagram post, Adderley noted, “After a period of self-reflection, I have decided that it is time to step away from the game of football. All these years I’ve been denying this realization, but I’m finally going to put myself first for the first time. My health is more important than anything, and everyone around me knows it.”
However, earlier this year, in February, Adderley shifted his outlook and expressed his desire to return to the NFL.
He shared, “It’s been three years since I left the NFL and I’m very happy with my development. Health, family, and entrepreneurship are my top priorities, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish thus far. Having the freedom to control my schedule was very important to me, but I didn’t realize how much I would miss football in my life. The competition, the brotherhood, and attending the game itself means so much to me and my family. Therefore, I am officially announcing my intention to return to the NFL.”
During his last season with the Chargers in 2022, Adderley made a notable impact, registering 62 tackles and achieving a career-high of two interceptions. His final game was particularly memorable, marked by the Chargers’ heartbreaking collapse of a 27-0 lead against the Jaguars in the wild-card playoffs.
Now, as he joins the Colts, Adderley faces competition for playing time, especially with the addition of other safeties like Jonathan Owens and Juannie Thomas during the offseason.
