Patrick Robinson to retire from the New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson is retiring. The 11-year vet announced he’s stepping away from the NFL on Tuesday.

Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Robinson’s retirement when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.

“He felt comfortable with his decision, and certainly we respect that. And he’ll get on to his next chapter, and we’ll go from there.” Payton said, via Pro Football Talk. “He doesn’t want to let anyone down, and he just felt like in his heart it was the right time, and I respect that.”

Robinson was in the final season of his second go-around with the Saints.

Robinson’s Career

Robinson was originally the first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints out of Florida State University in the 2010 NFL Draft. The 33-year-old corner was taken with a 32nd overall pick and spent his first five seasons in New Orleans.

In the three years that followed, Robinson would play on as many teams. He suited up for the then-San Diego Chargers, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was a part of the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl-winning team.

In 2018, the former Seminole re-signed with the Saints on a $20 million deal over four years. Robinson was in the final year of that deal.

What’s next for New Orleans

According to ESPN the announcement of Patrick Robinson’s retirement was a surprise to the Saints too. After releasing Janoris Jenkins during the off-season, Robinson was the top candidate for the number two corner spot. But now the Saints will be in scramble mode trying to sure up their cornerback position.

Prior to the announcement, the Saints were reportedly looking to acquire Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback C.J Henderson. Henderson could be expendable to his current team after the Jaguars made multiple moves at corner this offseason.

Jacksonville picked up Shaquill Griffin and drafted Georgia’s Tyson Campbell in the first round. Also, they re-signed former starters, Sidney Jones and Tre Herndon. Henderson is 22 and is slated to have a cap hit of just under $17 million over the next three years. Originally trading for Henderson would have been a nice insurance blanket for the Saints since Brian Poole and Robinson were set to be free agents at the end of the season. However, given the recent events, trading for Henderson could be more of a necessity now.

(Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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