Packers: Edge rusher Whitney Mercilus announces retirement

Whitney Mercilus helped strengthen the Green Bay Packers‘ pass rush last season.

After a great 10-year career in the NFL, Mercilus announced on Instagram today that he is retiring.

Mercilus was signed by the Packers in October after he had been released by the Houston Texans. He immediately helped Green Bay’s pass rush, making one sack and two quarterback hits in the four games he played in the regular season.

According to Pro Football Reference, he also had four pressures and two hurries.

After just four games, Mercilus suffered a biceps injury that was expected to end his season. However, Mercilus had other ideas. Incredibly, he was able to return just two months later for Green Bay’s divisional-round game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Mercilus had a limited role in that game, but the fact he was even able to play was unbelievable.

It has been an amazing career for the 31 year old. He finishes his career with 58 sacks, 117 quarterback hits, 362 tackles, 73 tackles for loss, and 13 forced fumbles.

With the Texans, Mercilus was a second-team All-Pro in 2016.

It’s a real shame Mercilus got injured in the 2021 regular season. Had he stayed healthy, he could’ve made a huge difference for the Packers’ pass rush down the stretch. It would’ve also made sense to re-sign him this season had he decided to keep playing.

But Mercilus has decided to walk away from the game after an incredible 10-year career. He played in 138 regular-season games, 134 with the Texans and four with the Packers. He started 102 of them, all with the Texans. Mercilus also played in nine playoff games, eight with the Texans and one with the Packers.