FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: A view of New England Patriots helmets on the bench during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are losing a member of their offensive line to retirement ahead of next season.

Center James Ferentz has announced that he’s calling curtains on his career following a stint with the AFC team that lasted six seasons. The 34-year-old, who won a Super Bowl with the Pats in 2019, took to Instagram to inform fans of his decision, revealing having considered his options and spoken to his wife before opting to leave the game.

 

“After taking the time to collect my thoughts and speaking with my wife, Skylar, I’ve decided to retire from playing football,” he wrote. “Thank you to all my teammates, from Iowa City High, lowa, Houston, Denver, and New England. The bond and love is truly what football is about and why we all play. My teammates at every stop prove that theory true. Thank you all!”

“Thank you to Bill O’Brien, Gary Kubiak, and Bill Belichick for giving me the opportunity to play pro football when no one else would,” he continued. “To Dante Scarnecchia, thank you for helping me get the best from myself. A special thank you to the towns of Foxboro and Norfolk Massachusetts, where my family luckily has called home for the past seven years. Thank you to all the wonderful people we have met along the way.”

Ferentz went undrafted in 2014 after a career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, joining the Houston Texans for a season before playing for the Denver Broncos for another two. He was signed by the Patriots in 2017.

He leaves with two Super Bowl rings, having also won a championship with the Broncos in 2016.