“It felt like the proper time,” the 30-year-old instructed Anderson. “I really like the sport, however I don’t love the enterprise. I’m at peace with the choice. I’m wholesome and able to begin the subsequent chapter of my life.”
Drake entered the league as a Dolphins third-rounder, and over half of his regular-season appearances (and his lone playoff one) got here with Miami. He topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2018 and did so once more the next yr whereas splitting his time between the Dolphins and Cardinals. Drake’s finest season got here in 2020, his solely full marketing campaign within the desert.
That yr, the Alabama alum rushed for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. That success earned him a two-year, $11M Raiders deal, however his profession consisted of a sequence of short-term gigs from that time onwards. Drake solely spent one marketing campaign in Vegas earlier than bouncing round to a number of groups looking for a chance. He had a pair of Ravens stints with Colts and Browns offers blended in between August 2022 and November of final yr.
Drake’s last NFL contract got here from the Packers in December, and he made a single look down the stretch. His remarks counsel he tried to discover a new deal this offseason (one thing which a lot of veteran backs managed early in free company), however as an alternative of searching for out a coaching camp accord or ready for a chance to open up in the course of the fall, he’ll flip his consideration to his post-playing days.
A veteran of 105 mixed common and postseason contests, Drake racked up 5,521 scrimmage yards and 41 touchdowns throughout his eight years within the league. He’ll depart the NFL with practically $26MM in profession earnings.
