The Green Bay Packers parted ways with offensive lineman Yosuah Nijman two years ago, and on Wednesday he officially stepped away from the NFL altogether. Nijman announced his retirement from professional football through an Instagram post, bringing the curtain down on a seven year career that included five seasons in Green Bay.
“After seven incredible years in the NFL, I’ve decided it’s time to officially step away from the game of football,” Nijman wrote.
“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 today.”
Yosuah Nijman entered the Green Bay Packers organization as an undrafted rookie out of Virginia Tech in 2019. By the following season, he had carved out a role on special teams and went on to appear in all 16 games in 2020.
Yosuah Nijman’s time with the Packers
Dec 24, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Green Bay Packers place kicker Anders Carlson (17) with defensive tackle T.J. Slaton (93) and offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (73) after kicking the game winning field goal in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
“To the fans in Green Bay and Carolina, thank you for your passion and support. Playing in front of you all was truly special, and I’ll always be grateful for the energy and love you brought every game day,” the former member of the Packers continued.
By 2021, Nijman had worked his way into a regular spot in the offensive line rotation for the Green Bay Packers. He logged 590 offensive snaps that season and followed it with a career best 756 the next year, while also continuing to see time on special teams during both campaigns. Over that stretch, he made 21 starts at offensive tackle for Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (73) blocks Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) during the fourth quarter of their game Sept. 11.
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Nijman saw his role in the Packers offense shrink in 2023, and he departed the following offseason after signing a two year contract worth $8 million with the Carolina Panthers. He went on to play in 32 of 34 regular season games for Carolina across those two seasons, making seven starts during that stretch.
The 30-year-old made starts at both left tackle and right tackle during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers. According to Spotrac, his projected market value for 2026 sat around $1 million on a one year contract. After entering the league as an undrafted player, Nijman went on to earn close to $14 million over the course of his seven season NFL career.