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New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo announced his retirement Tuesday. He will turn 30 before the end of the month, and will be setting off on a new career path in his new decade. A series of injuries left him on injured reserve three seasons in a row.
The Patriots will save $7 million in cap space, leaving the team with $4.4 million in dead money following the linebacker's retirement. Mayo was set to earn $11.4 million in 2016, and would have likely either been forced to restructure his contract or hit the free agency market, which could be a tough sell after a torn pec in 2013 and 2015 and a torn patellar in 2014.
Mayo has amassed 803 total combined tackles -- 537 solo -- 19 defended passes and three interceptions in his 103 games played in New England. Drafted by the team in 2008, he was taken at No. 10 in the first round out of Tennessee.
Mayo posted his announcement on Instagram, and thanked his team of eight years for their support of him since college.
The Patriots had a tough decision to make this offseason regarding Mayo and his future with the team, but can focus on figuring out a replacement during free agency and ahead of the draft.