One week into training camp, a once-promising wide receiver has decided to give up on his football dream.
Ja’Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round pick who was selected No. 37 overall, has opted to abruptly retire from the NFL in a surprising move, as the 24-year-old was on the Saints’ roster.
The Saints placed Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday despite Polk working with the team in training camp in hopes of making the roster.
Injuries had been a concern for him during the early part of his career with the Patriots, but it does not appear that injuries played a major factor in this decision. Polk was seen on the practice field as recently as Thursday.
Saints coach Kellen Moore had said that Polk was excused from Friday and Sunday’s practice due to “personal things.”
The Saints traded for Polk last September despite him being on season-ending IR, knowing that they would not see him until this summer.
He ends his career with 87 career receiving yards and two touchdowns, all of which came during his rookie season in Foxborough.
Polk, a product of Texas Tech and Washington, was selected early in the second round by the Patriots, who traded back from the No. 34 overall pick, which was used to select fellow wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
The former Washington star also went off the board before Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (No. 40) and Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (No. 45).
McConkey, DeJean and Cooper are all emerging stars in the NFL.
Polk caught balls from Michael Penix Jr. while at Washington, posting strong numbers, including a big Sugar Bowl performance against Texas where he had 122 yards and a touchdown to lead them to the national championship game.
He also shared a wide receiver room with Rome Odunze, who was drafted No. 9 overall by the Bears in the same draft.
It appeared that Polk could have made the Saints’ crowded wide receiver room, as he had hoped to be the No. 4 pass catcher behind Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, and Devaughn Vele.
