15 NFL Veterans Who Need To Retire Before The 2015 Season Starts

It takes incredible self-awareness to know when to quit. In the NFL, it’s difficult to quit when you’re ahead and just as imposing to quit in good health. But this is another battle NFL veterans must fight and here are 15 that should make the good decision to leave when it’d be a poor one to stay.

15 NFL Veterans Who Need To Retire Before The 2015 Season Starts

It takes incredible self-awareness to know when to quit. In the NFL, it’s difficult to quit when you’re ahead and just as imposing to quit in good health. But this is another battle NFL veterans must fight and here are 15 that should make the good decision to leave when it’d be a poor one to stay.

15. Wes Welker — Free Agent

The next concussion will be the last one, but why should it come to that? Yeah, the prognosis is grisly, but research also has us informed. Weigh your future vs. your earning potential and consider becoming a non-contact analyst in the booth, Wes Welker.

15. Wes Welker — Free Agent

The next concussion will be the last one, but why should it come to that? Yeah, the prognosis is grisly, but research also has us informed. Weigh your future vs. your earning potential and consider becoming a non-contact analyst in the booth, Wes Welker.

14. Charles Woodson — Oakland Raiders

Super Bowl winner, Heisman trophy winner, now it’s time for Charles Woodson to leave the Oakland Raiders' secondary and hit the second gear of his career.

14. Charles Woodson — Oakland Raiders

Super Bowl winner, Heisman trophy winner, now it’s time for Charles Woodson to leave the Oakland Raiders' secondary and hit the second gear of his career.

13. Shonn Greene — Tennessee Titans

Since the autumn of 2013, Shonn Greene hasn’t had the same burst and has seen a dive in production. Greene’s line from 2012: 276 attempts, 1,063 yards and 8 touchdowns. Green hasn’t touched either of those marks through 2013 and ’14 combined.

13. Shonn Greene — Tennessee Titans

Since the autumn of 2013, Shonn Greene hasn’t had the same burst and has seen a dive in production. Greene’s line from 2012: 276 attempts, 1,063 yards and 8 touchdowns. Green hasn’t touched either of those marks through 2013 and ’14 combined.

12. Dominic Raiola — Free Agent

Veteran lineman/roving dirt bag Dominic Raiola should get out of the league before a defensive tackle stomps on him in retribution.

12. Dominic Raiola — Free Agent

Veteran lineman/roving dirt bag Dominic Raiola should get out of the league before a defensive tackle stomps on him in retribution.

11. Adam Vinatieri — Indianapolis Colts

What else is left to prove? The Indianapolis Colts are a dark horse for the Super Bowl, but Vinatieri has already been to the summit and back. There’s no feeling like winning it all, but as Vinatieri ages (currently 42), he begins risking it all.

11. Adam Vinatieri — Indianapolis Colts

What else is left to prove? The Indianapolis Colts are a dark horse for the Super Bowl, but Vinatieri has already been to the summit and back. There’s no feeling like winning it all, but as Vinatieri ages (currently 42), he begins risking it all.

10. James Harrison — Pittsburgh Steelers

James Harrison has played for four teams over the last 13 years (if you count the NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire) and has sustained injuries while accumulating Super Bowl rings. Case in point, Harrison is a leading candidate.

10. James Harrison — Pittsburgh Steelers

James Harrison has played for four teams over the last 13 years (if you count the NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire) and has sustained injuries while accumulating Super Bowl rings. Case in point, Harrison is a leading candidate.

9. Shaun Hill — Minnesota Vikings

Although I will miss Shaun Hill looking to the sidelines as if he were a lost Keanu Reeves, the writing is on the wall and set in stone via depth chart. Teddy Bridgewater is the future of the Vikings and Hill is a spot-substituting clipboard holder at best.

9. Shaun Hill — Minnesota Vikings

Although I will miss Shaun Hill looking to the sidelines as if he were a lost Keanu Reeves, the writing is on the wall and set in stone via depth chart. Teddy Bridgewater is the future of the Vikings and Hill is a spot-substituting clipboard holder at best.

8. Fred Jackson — Buffalo Bills

The story of Fred Jackson is an epic, but the saga has reached its end. Easily the most accomplished Coe College alum not named Marv Levy, it’s best for Jackson to keep his health considering there’s little chance to improve upon his underdog legacy.

8. Fred Jackson — Buffalo Bills

The story of Fred Jackson is an epic, but the saga has reached its end. Easily the most accomplished Coe College alum not named Marv Levy, it’s best for Jackson to keep his health considering there’s little chance to improve upon his underdog legacy.

7. Reggie Bush — San Francisco 49ers

Reggie Bush was cut by the Detroit Lions. So, there’s that. Now Bush is with the malfunctioning 49ers with a training camp pink slip moments from issue. How much more abuse -- mental and physical --should Bush put up with? If the allegations at USC were true, then Bush has plenty of money for retirement.

7. Reggie Bush — San Francisco 49ers

Reggie Bush was cut by the Detroit Lions. So, there’s that. Now Bush is with the malfunctioning 49ers with a training camp pink slip moments from issue. How much more abuse -- mental and physical --should Bush put up with? If the allegations at USC were true, then Bush has plenty of money for retirement.

6. Steven Jackson — Free Agent

Until Steven Jackson retires, the running back is the all-time active leader in rushing yards. If Jackson retires before the 2015 season begins, it’ll land Jackson 16th among NFL greats. A mark that will always be better than O.J. Simpson, Eddie George and Shaun Alexander.

6. Steven Jackson — Free Agent

Until Steven Jackson retires, the running back is the all-time active leader in rushing yards. If Jackson retires before the 2015 season begins, it’ll land Jackson 16th among NFL greats. A mark that will always be better than O.J. Simpson, Eddie George and Shaun Alexander.

5. DeAngelo Williams — Pittsburgh Steelers

Okay, maybe after game three of the 2015 season, but then DeAngelo Williams should definitely consider a second career. Do I need to retread the sad story of Earl Campbell -- a punishing player in his time who can barely walk today?

5. DeAngelo Williams — Pittsburgh Steelers

Okay, maybe after game three of the 2015 season, but then DeAngelo Williams should definitely consider a second career. Do I need to retread the sad story of Earl Campbell -- a punishing player in his time who can barely walk today?

4. Derek Anderson — Carolina Panthers

Although getting paid good money to be a backup is a cushy gig, it has to eat away at Derek Anderson knowing he was once a Pro-Bowl quarterback (2007).

4. Derek Anderson — Carolina Panthers

Although getting paid good money to be a backup is a cushy gig, it has to eat away at Derek Anderson knowing he was once a Pro-Bowl quarterback (2007).

3. Matt Schaub — Baltimore Ravens

Falling harder from grace than young Icarus, Schaub actually was a smart pull by the Ravens. But in Schaub’s case, enough is enough. What little Schaub had left to prove was left behind in his prime.

3. Matt Schaub — Baltimore Ravens

Falling harder from grace than young Icarus, Schaub actually was a smart pull by the Ravens. But in Schaub’s case, enough is enough. What little Schaub had left to prove was left behind in his prime.

2. Chad Henne — Jacksonville Jaguars

There really isn’t a more trustworthy name than ‘Chad,’ but now Chad Henne must change capacity. Perhaps becoming an assistant under Jim Harbaugh, and working up through the alma mater.

2. Chad Henne — Jacksonville Jaguars

There really isn’t a more trustworthy name than ‘Chad,’ but now Chad Henne must change capacity. Perhaps becoming an assistant under Jim Harbaugh, and working up through the alma mater.

1. Reggie Wayne — Free Agent

Fourteen years of service in the NFL is not a light accomplishment, especially from a relatively slight frame. Ten years from now we'll remember Reggie Wayne and in less time than that, this all-time Indianapolis Colts wideout will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1. Reggie Wayne — Free Agent

Fourteen years of service in the NFL is not a light accomplishment, especially from a relatively slight frame. Ten years from now we'll remember Reggie Wayne and in less time than that, this all-time Indianapolis Colts wideout will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.