NFL All-Pro Running Back And Former Yards Leader Announces His Retirement

Arizona Cardinals helmet (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
A former Arizona Cardinals superstar running back and one-time First-team All-Pro has announced his retirement after an eight-year career.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, former Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson announced his retirement from football. The 32-year-old played in the NFL from 2015 to 2022, going unsigned in the 2023 season before ultimately retiring.

The former Northern Iowa star was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round (86th overall) in 2015. He joined an offense led by future Hall of Famer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, quarterback Carson Palmer, and offensive guru head coach Bruce Arians.

Johnson was one of the top rookies of 2015, compiling 1,038 yards of offense and 12 total touchdowns. Arizona reached the NFC Championship Game, where they fell to Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers.

David Johnson had his best season in 2016, racking up 1,239 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, 80 receptions for 879 yards and four TDs. Johnson’s 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns led the NFL that year.

After five years in Arizona, Johnson was traded to the Houston Texans as part of the DeAndre Hopkins blockbuster trade. Johnson spent two seasons with the AFC South club before joining the Saints in 2022, where he saw 12 carries in five games.

David Johnson Is Among The Best Arizona Cardinals RBs Ever

Johnson only performed like a superstar for three NFL seasons, but he was among the league’s best offensive players during his run in The Desert.

Though he only appeared in 62 games for the Arizona Cardinals (Johnson missed all but one game in 2017), the do-it-all weapon is tied with John David Crow for the third-most rushing scores in franchise history (33). They only trail Ottis Anderson and Wayne Morris in that category.

David Johnson’s 3,128 rushing yards also place him 10th in Cardinals history, though he averaged more rushing yards per game (50.5) than six of the guys ahead of him.