Ex-Broncos cornerback's retirement was 'totally unexpected'

A former Denver Broncos cornerback is hanging up his cleats.

Ronald Darby informed the Houston Texans earlier this week that he planned to retire, and the veteran has since been placed on the club's reserve/retired list. Darby's sudden retirement was "totally unexpected," according to KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson.

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The 31-year-old defensive back is walking away from the game after previously signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract this spring. After signing that deal, Darby didn't even make it to training camp.

Darby originally entered the league as a second-round pick out of Florida State with the Buffalo Bills in 2015. He spent time with seven NFL teams during his career, including a stint with the Broncos from 2021-2022.

Denver signed Darby to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2021 and he was healthy for 11 starts that year. He then started five games in 2022 before tearing his ACL. After returning from that injury, Darby was cut by the Broncos during the 2023 offseason. He totaled 67 tackles, nine pass breakups and one forced fumble in 16 games in Denver.

Following his Broncos tenure, Darby played 16 games for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and 13 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars last fall. He's now calling it a career with 447 career tackles, 106 pass breakups and eight interceptions on his resume.