A week ago, the Baltimore Ravens released punter Luke Elzinga and guard Jared Penning to make room for veteran wide receiver Chris Moore and offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji. The math was simple, sacrifice young development players for proven talent. However, just eight days later, one of those calculated additions took a turn no one saw coming.

According to the NFL’s daily transaction wire, Hakeem Adeniji was put on the Ravens’ reserved/retired list. Baltimore had signed him to a one-year $1.215 million contract on July 25 after a workout and now a week after he joined he has gone on to retire. Now, it does appear that something transpired that led to the former Dallas Cowboys lineman so suddenly stepping away from football.

However, it is not exactly known what might be the reason. But since he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, his career has mostly been a series of short stops.

The 28-year-old, spent his first three seasons in Cincinnati and started 14 games. His biggest opportunity came during the Bengals’ run to Super Bowl LVI, when he started throughout the postseason after injuries reshuffled the offensive line. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor had nothing but nice things to say about him during that playoff run.

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“He’s smart, he’s physical, he plays with great athleticism and power. I think he’s been a great addition to the inside.”

Not just him, even former Bengals center Trey Hopkins commended Adeniji’s work ethic, saying, “He does a great job listening to the older guys, does a great job taking the stuff seriously and owning his craft.”

He then spent the 2023 season with the Minnesota Vikings, the 2024 season on the Cleveland Browns’ injured/reserve list, and 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys.

The offensive lineman appeared in 12 games for the Cowboys, starting once. According to Cowboys insider Nick Eatman, Adeniji provided crucial depth because of his experience and his ability to line up at four positions on the offensive line. He lined up at left tackle and right guard for the Bengals, and started at left guard for Dallas. Eatman also noted that Dallas had used him as a tight end during the season.

With most of the O-line starters out with injuries, Adeniji helped the Cowboys make 150 yards on the ground vs the New York Jets. In the 77 snaps he played in Dallas’ offense last season, he allowed only two quarterback pressures and zero sacks.

However, Eatman also claimed that Adeniji’s age might turn the Cowboys away from re-signing him.

How Hakeem Adeniji’s retirement affects the Ravens

Placing Adeniji on the reserve-retired list keeps him off the active roster. But the Ravens still keep his NFL rights if he decides to come back and play in the future.

With his departure, Carson Vinson, Gerad Lichtenhan, and rookie Diego Pounds will compete for backup tackle jobs behind Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten. Vinson, Lichtenhan, and Pounds all have a combined experience of only seven snaps. Adeniji’s experience could have been an advantage for the Ravens, which also includes seven playoff starts. He started for 16 games in his career.

On the Ravens’ interior offensive line, Pinter, Gwyn, Corey Bullock, and Nick Dawkins will fight for their chance to start at center.

Adeniji’s retirement has also opened a spot on the Ravens’ roster. General manager Eric DeCosta can sign another veteran offensive lineman or add help at another position. It will be interesting to see what move Baltimore makes before the regular season begins. However, Hakeem Adeniji wasn’t the only player to unexpectedly step away from football this week.

Another unexpected retirement around the NFL

Former New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk also retired after being placed on the reserve/retired list, ending his NFL career at just 24 years old.

A second round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Polk spent his rookie season with the Patriots before being traded to New Orleans while he was recovering from a shoulder injury. He finished his NFL career with 12 receptions for 87 yards, two touchdowns and one rushing attempt. His decision to step out came as a surprise to many across the league. 

This is because earlier this off-season, Polk was extremely enthusiastic about returning from injury saying he had been thinking about football all the time. 

“To be able to go out there again, it makes me appreciate it ten times more,” Polk said, adding that he wanted to show the Saints “the right reason why they brought me over here.”

Saints insider Nick Underhill reported that Polk was “healthy and happy with his role,” but he thought that retirement was the best way forward for him. Nevertheless, two extremely unexpected surprises have already happened.