Life in the NFL is fleeting, and some players take the opportunity to walk away on their own terms rather than have it snatched away from them. That appears to be the case for former Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns.
Sterns made waves on Thursday, announcing his retirement from the NFL.
The former Texas Longhorns DB spent four-plus seasons as an active player in the NFL, and now he will look to begin the next chapter of his life.
Former Broncos S Caden Sterns Announces Retirement From NFL
GettyCaden Sterns #30 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after breaking up a pass against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Broncos selected Sterns with the No. 152 overall pick of the 2021 draft, and he spent three seasons with the team, starting five of his 21 games played. Sterns announced his retirement on social media, with posts on X and Instagram.
He included various images of himself throughout his football journey, from Pop Warner to high school and college, and then the NFL.
“Goodbye football,” Sterns captioned the lengthy message on October 16.
Sterns alluded to the fact that he has not played since the 2023 season, but said, “This isn’t a sorrow post. It’s one of joy. Pure joy,” as he showed gratitude to all the individuals who have been a part of his journey.
“Well… damn. Crazy to say it’s been over two years since I last stepped on a field. I spent that time trying to just be healthy & functional again — then fighting like hell to get back to the game I love. As I sit here writing this reminiscing, tears rolling down my face, I feel everything: pain, sadness, gratitude, peace. I didn’t become the player I thought I would be… but who am I to question God’s plan? Some chapters are meant to end rough — yet the story still goes on,” Sterns said in the post.
“This chapter’s over, and I’m at peace with it. The same drive that once fueled the grind still burns — the target’s still the same, the scope’s just different.”
Sterns’ decision is surprising, given that he turns 26 years old in November.
However, Sterns already beat the odds by making it to the NFL. He also outlasted the average NFL career, which is 3.3 years overall but 2.9 years for cornerbacks (with safeties presumably falling under that category), per Statista in March 2024.
Injuries Interrupted Caden Sterns’ Development
GettyCaden Sterns #30 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the Dallas Cowboys.
Sterns appeared in 15 games for the Broncos as a rookie, finishing the season with a career-high 28 total tackles, 5 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 2.0 sacks. He recorded another 20-plus-tackle, 2-INT season in 2022.
However, Sterns was limited to five games in his second season due to injuries.
He played in just one game for the Broncos in 2023 before landing on injured reserve, and Denver cut him in early August of that year.
Sterns latched on with the Carolina Panthers, briefly, and the Philadelphia Eagles, but was unable to get onto the field at either stop. The Eagles released Sterns during their bye week in October 2024, before they won 10 straight games and, eventually, won the Super Bowl.
Sterns also missed the Broncos’ first playoff berth since 2015 by one year.
The Broncos were 20-31 during Sterns’ tenure with the team. Still, Sterns was a versatile playmaker for the Broncos whose once-promising star was dimmed by persistent injury issues.
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