Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman announced his retirement from the NFL late Wednesday night via a heartfelt post on his Instagram page.
“After seven incredible years in the NFL, I’ve decided it’s time to officially step away from the game of football,” Nijman’s caption on his post read, underneath photos of him playing at Virginia Tech, with the Green Bay Packers and with the Panthers, where he spent the past two seasons.
The post continued: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level. From my college days at Virginia Tech, where I grew as both a player and a man, to living out my dream in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers, every moment has shaped who I am.”
Nijman’s retirement announcement comes when he’s not attached via a contract to any team. He entered the negotiating period of free agency on Monday as an unrestricted free agent before making this decision to step away after the new league year began at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The 30-year-old offensive tackle was brought to Charlotte in 2024 as a reserve option at tackle for the Panthers who were interested in bolstering an offensive line that struggled mightily the year before. While a reserve mostly for Taylor Moton and Ickey Ekwonu, the 6-foot-7, 314-pound Nijman played well when called upon — which included four starts in 2025 in 17 games played.
The Panthers now have even more questions to answer along the line than they did entering free agency — and they already had a lot after Ekwonu ruptured his patella tendon in the Panthers’ playoff game in January. He is expected to miss a significant portion of 2026. They seemed to address part of that need with the signing of Stone Forsythe, the 28-year-old tackle who spent 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Nijman, in his Instagram post, credited God for being “the foundation of my life and my career” and thanked everyone who helped him become the man and player he is.
“To my teammates, coaches and staff members throughout my career — thank you for believing in me, pushing me and standing beside me,” he wrote. “The brotherhood built in locker rooms and on the field is something I will carry with me forever.”
He continued thanking the fans in both NFL franchises and to his family and friends, whose “constant support, prayers and encouragement made this journey possible.”
“Football has given me so much, but I’m excited for the next chapter of my life and the new ways God will use me moving forward,” Nijman wrote. “The lessons, memories and relationships from this game will stay with me forever.”