The NFL offseason is the perfect time for new opportunities, whether they come through the draft or free agency. At the same time, the time between February and August is when players tend to make major career decisions — especially those that have to do with hanging their cleats up for good.
The football world has already seen a handful of NFL retirements this offseason, and now a former Atlanta Falcons draft pick has just added his name to that list.
Former Falcons Draft Pick John Cominsky Announces NFL Retirement
On Monday, ex-Falcons pass rusher John Cominsky announced his NFL retirement following six years in the league. The former Charleston defender was drafted 135th overall by Atlanta in 2019, spending a trio of seasons with the Falcons before spending the last three with the Detroit Lions.
"After six years in the NFL, I am officially medically retiring. I am proud of the career I had, but have accumulated a combination of injuries that are overwhelming my desire to continue playing," Cominsky wrote, making sure to shout out the Falcons and Lions fanbases. "Thank you to the front offices and coaches that helped build me up and believed in me."
John Cominsky has announced his retirement on IG. pic.twitter.com/PdPbn8AEvl
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) March 31, 2025
It's too bad that injuries prevented Cominsky from enjoying a long professional career. At the end of the day, missing 43 of 100 possible career games since the start of 2019 — including the entire 2024 season with a torn MCL — was too much for the Barberton, OH native to overcome. Hopefully, he can enjoy a pain-free retirement.
Cominsky, 29, finishes his pro career with 51 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, six defended passes, and a forced fumble between his Falcons and Lions stints. He also finishes with the second-most NFL games played (57) out of any University of Charleston (WV) alumni.
As with most retired NFL players, it'll be interesting to see if Cominsky hangs around the sport in a front office or coaching role. He did double major in chemistry and biology while in college, though, meaning he might be looking for a non-football opportunity altogether.
For now, Falcons fans wish Cominsky nothing but the best with his future endeavors, and are excited to see where his journey takes him next.