New York Jets QB, former Florida State star Jordan Travis announces retirement

Former Florida State quarterback and New York Jets backup Jordan Travis is retiring from football, the Jets announced Wednesday. Travis, a 2024 fifth-round pick, informed the team of his decision Wednesday.

Travis revealed his retirement decision comes at the advice of his doctors in a statement released by the Jets, who will place Travis on the NFL’s reserve/retired list. The 24-year-old Travis was still working his way back to play after sustaining a horrific broken left leg in his final collegiate game on Nov. 18, 2023, against North Alabama.

“On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in the statement. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I’ve been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.”

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— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) April 30, 2025

After being selected with the 171st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Travis spent the entire 2024 NFL season on the reserve/non-football injury list while rehabbing from his injury.

“Jordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State,” Jets general manager Darren Mougey said in a statement. “It is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard. We support his decision and wish him only the best.”

Jordan Travis’ disappointing end to FSU career doesn’t take away from immense impact in Tallahassee

Travis’ devasting leg injury just prior to the 2023 College Football Playoffs — which was used to justify the undefeated and ACC champion Seminoles’ omission from the final four-team Playoff field in favor of one-loss SEC champion Alabama for the fourth and final seed — became a highly controversial decision that still permeates even after the CFP formally expanded to 12 teams in 2024.

After beginning his college career at Louisville, Travis transferred to FSU ahead of the 2019 season and waited his turn before becoming the ‘Noles’ starting QB in 2022. Once in that role, Travis established himself as a transformative quarterback in Tallahassee, finishing his illustrious FSU career ranking second in wins by a starting quarterback (28) and also breaking former Heisman Tophy winner Chris Weinke‘s career school record for total touchdowns (97) and total offense (10,554).

Travis’ 8,644 career passing yards also ranks second in program history, while his 65 passing touchdowns is tied with FSU’s 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Travis, who is the only Florida State quarterback with at least 1,000 rushing yards (1,910) and also ranks fourth in school history with 31 rushing touchdowns.