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Former Los Angeles Chargers second-round pick Nasir Adderley shocked the NFL when he announced he would retire from the game at just 25 years old.
Three years later, Adderley surprises the football world again by announcing his return after signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Adderley, now 28, signed a deal with the Colts to compete for a spot in their secondary, the team announced Tuesday.
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Nasir Adderley of the Los Angeles Chargers leaves the field after a win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 26, 2022. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
“After a period of self-reflection, I have decided it is time to leave football,” Adderley wrote in an Instagram post in March 2023. At the time, Adderley said health was a factor in his decision.
“For the past few years I have been in denial about this discovery, but I’m finally going to put myself first for once. My health comes before anything and everyone around me knows it.”
But Adderley said in February that he intended to try to return to the league. Now he has his chance in Indianapolis.
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“It’s been years since I left the NFL and I am extremely happy with my development,” Adderley said in a statement in February. “Health, family and entrepreneurship were my top priorities, and I am proud of what I have been able to achieve. The freedom to manage my own schedule was very important to me, but what I didn’t realize was how much I would miss having football in my life.
“Competition, brotherhood and just being involved in the game mean a lot to me and my family. Therefore, I am officially announcing my intention to return to the NFL.
Nasir Adderley of the Los Angeles Chargers covers an opponent during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 26, 2022. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Adderley had accumulated 12 passes defensed, three interceptions and 232 total tackles in his four years with the Chargers, who took him with the 60th pick in 2019.
Adderley never outgrew his rookie contract with the Chargers, as he retired after his fourth year, which was a solid season for him.
The Delaware product finished with two interceptions, one forced fumble, four passes defensed, 62 combined tackles and one tackle for loss.
Adderley will look to prove himself with a new team now, and one that could use some secondary help heading into the 2026 season. The Colts were 8-2 entering their bye week last season, becoming one of the NFL’s biggest surprises.
Nasir Adderley of the Los Angeles Chargers covers an opponent during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 26, 2022. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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However, after injury problems for quarterback Daniel Jones, among others on the roster, the Colts fell. They desperately tried to stop sinking, even bringing Philip Rivers out of retirement to play in head coach Shane Steichen’s offense with Jones out for the rest of the year. But it wasn’t enough as they finished 8-9 and never won a game after the Week 11 bye.
