NFL player announces surprise retirement days after signing with new franchise
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 08: Cincinnati Bengals guard Hakeem Adeniji 77 lines up for a play during the game against the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 8, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 08 Ravens at Bengals Icon230108093
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 08: Cincinnati Bengals guard Hakeem Adeniji 77 lines up for a play during the game against the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 8, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 08 Ravens at Bengals Icon230108093
Former Bengals offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji has decided to retire from the NFL, just over a week after signing with the Baltimore Ravens, according to Bengals Wire.
The Ravens placed the 28-year-old on the reserve/retired list at the start of training camp, officially ending a career that took him through several teams after his time in Cincinnati.
Adeniji entered the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and earned a bigger role with the Bengals after battling through injuries early in his career.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Hakeem Adeniji 77 looks on during the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles on September 27, 2020 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA SEP 27 Bengals at Eagles Icon200927085
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Hakeem Adeniji 77 looks on during the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles on September 27, 2020 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA SEP 27 Bengals at Eagles Icon200927085
One of his biggest moments came during Cincinnati's run to Super Bowl LVI, where he helped protect Joe Burrow on the game's biggest stage.
After leaving the Bengals, Adeniji spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns before joining Baltimore this offseason.
His retirement comes as the Bengals head into 2026 with continuity up front. For the first time in Burrow's career, Cincinnati returns the same five starting offensive linemen from the previous season, something the team hopes will provide more stability as it looks to another playoff run.
While Adeniji's NFL journey has come to an end, Baltimore didn't take long to address the vacancy he left behind.
Who is replacing the former Bengals offensive lineman in Baltimore?
According to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore is signing veteran offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, who appeared in 13 games for the Miami Dolphins last season.
"The Ravens are signing veteran OT Kendall Lamm, per source. He’ll take the roster spot of Hakeem Adeniji, who was placed on the reserve/retired list Sunday," analyst Jeff Zrebiec posted on X on August 3.
Lamm brings more than a decade of NFL experience to Baltimore.
The 34-year-old entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2015 before spending time with the Browns, Titans, and Dolphins, according to the Baltimore Ravens' official website.
Over his career, Lamm has appeared in 132 games with 44 starts, giving the Ravens an experienced option as training camp continues.
How would you rate Adeniji's NFL career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi