49ers tight end Garrett Celek on Friday announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons via Instagram.
“I can’t thank the 49ers organization enough for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams and all of the countless relationships I’ve made along the way, especially my Tight Ends, thanks for supplying me with endless stories and memories,” he wrote. “Niner Faithful, thank you for cheering me on these past 8 seasons, love y’all, Celektime is clockin out ✌🏼”
The 2019 campaign was a particularly tough one for Celek, 31, who entered the year as the team’s presumed No. 2 tight end.
Offseason back surgery forced him to spend the offseason on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He returned in Week 10, and saw minimal action in five games before going back on IR with more back issues. Celek also missed the final game of the 2018 campaign with a concussion.
San Francisco signed Celek as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He stuck with the team through four head coaches, and along with Joe Staley was one of two remaining members of the team that played in Super Bowl XLVII.
Celek finished his career with 82 receptions for 1,104 yards and 12 touchdowns. His best year was in 2016 when he hauled in a career-best 29 catches for a career-high 350 yards and three touchdowns. Celek’s career-high in touchdowns came in 2017 during Kyle Shanahan’s first season as head coach when the veteran tight end posted four TD receptions.
The 2019 season was the final one on Celek’s contract, and a return to the 49ers was unlikely with their younger depth at tight end emerging throughout the 2019 campaign.