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An eight-year NFL veteran who started 16 games last season has shockingly called it quits on his career.
Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman announced his decision on Instagram Monday, saying he is “ready for my next chapter.”
“This game has given me so much – lessons, lifelong friendships and memories that my family will carry forever. I poured everything I had into this journey and I walk away grateful and proud.”
Bozeman, 31, shared photos from his time with the Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens during his eight years in the league. He saw many different coaches and teammates across three franchises, and he recognized them all as well as their fans.
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Bradley Bozeman of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFL wild card playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Mass. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“Thank you to every teammate, coach and fan I was blessed to cross paths with along the way,” he wrote.
Bozeman also showed his love for his family, including his three children: Brody, Bailey and Boone. He also called his wife, Nikki, “incredible,” calling her his “ride or die from the very beginning” and adding “I couldn’t have done any of this without you!”
Bozeman concluded his post with a quote he heard during his career.
“Every career — no matter how decorated — ends up in a trash bag,” he wrote. “The game goes on. Someone fills your spot. I’m just thankful that God gave me the chance to make the trip.”
Bradley Bozeman of the Los Angeles Chargers lines up during an NFL wild card playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Mass. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Bozeman said the next chapter will be “life on the farm,” as the Alabama native and former Crimson Tide lineman ended his caption with “Roll Tide.”
Bozeman was drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, playing in 14 games in Baltimore with one start. After that, head coach John Harbaugh gave him the nod as the team’s starting left guard for the next two seasons, starting all 16 games in each of them before moving to center in 2021.
With his rookie deal up after that season, Bozeman landed with the Panthers, spending the 2022 and 2023 campaigns with the franchise as the team’s starting center.
Eventually, Bozeman teamed up with his old coach’s brother, Jim Harbaugh, when he signed with the Chargers to revamp their own line. He signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the team through 2025, but he won’t see that through now.
Bradley Bozeman of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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Instead, the Chargers will have a spot to fill on an offensive line that struggled mightily after losing star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt to season-ending injuries in 2025.
Tyler Linderbaum, an ex-Ravens center, will be a hot commodity on the free agent market and could see interest from Los Angeles now that Bozeman has retired.
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