As an NFL fan, I’ve always wondered how long defensive ends last in the game. You hear stories about superstars like J.J. Watt and Von Miller, and it’s easy to assume they have been kingpins in the NFL for years. But in reality, defensive ends often play their last season after only a few years in the league due to the incredibly high level of wear and tear defense line players absorb.
I get chills just thinking about the onslaught of opponents a defensive end has to battle against week in and week out. It’s a grueling task being the tip of the spear; taking on 340-pound offensive lineman, protecting against the run, and containing a fleet of dynamic pass catchers.It all happens in a split second. So it’s really no wonder why defensive ends often decide to hang up their cleats sooner rather than later.
I recently watched a documentary about Aaron Kampman, a long-time defensive end with the Green Bay Packers. Kampman was drafted in 2002 and played through the 2009 season, all with the Packers. He retired from the league after just 8 NFL seasons, despite being just 31-years-old.
Cases like Kampman’s are not uncommon, as the career of a defensive end is typically a short one. Of course, there are those that defy all odds and remain rock-steady in the game into their mid-30s, but it’s getting harder and harder for defensive ends to stay employed.
Most defensive ends will last about 4-5 years or so in the NFL before they face the harsh reality or retiring. And even if they are lucky enough to play past this benchmark, often career-ending injuries will be the defining factor of when they eventually leave the sport.
When you think about the physical demands defensive ends have to endure, it’s really no surprise why their time in the NFL is often so brief. To put it into perspective; the average life span of a defensive end is equivalent to the storied life career of an average NFL team mascot.
The other day, I saw a viral blog post about legendary defensive end, William Fuller. Fuller played for 10 years, split between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers and he retired with an impressive 87 sacks. According to the post, Fuller said the he only played as long as he did because he developed a “focused approach to playing the game”, which I thought was pretty insightful.
I guess it goes to show that even with the plethora of talent on the defensive line, if you want to last in the league as a defensive end, you need to have some kind of mental toughness. You have to be physically conditioned, and you have to have a certain attitude and a level of stitching to make it in the NFL.
And if you make it, don’t expect to stick around for too long, because defensive ends usually bounce from team to team pretty quickly. It’s a feat just making it on an NFL roster, but staying employed as a defensive end is a whole different ball game.
Of course, there are a few exceptions out there. Players like Julius Peppers or Dwight Freeney, who stuck it out in the league for well over a decade–but these players are the ultimate outliers.
I don’t think there are too many secrets surrounding the longevity of defensive ends, other than being in great physical shape, understanding the game, and relying on knowledge, confidence, and an unrelenting hunger to be the best. These seem to be the X factors that will determine the lifespan of a defensive end in the NFL.
One thing for certain, defensive ends will always have a place in the league. Because with every set of offensive linemen and backfield duo, you’ll need a talented defensive end to put the clamps on the team’s pass-catchers and running backs.
The NFL is always looking for young, up-and-coming defensive ends with the athleticism to make a difference in the trenches. This is one of the reasons why the average career length of a defensive end isn’t too long–the demand for fresh talent is always high.
Since its inception in 1920, there have been many great defensive ends that have come and gone, but the ones that held it down for longer than average are the ones that will be remembered in NFL history. We just have to have faith that the ones that take the field this season will make an impact.