Former Packers DB Morgan Burnett announces retirement from NFL

Burnett, a third-round pick of the Packers in 2010, announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.

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Former Green Bay Packers defensive back Morgan Burnett announced his retirement from the NFL in a post from his official Instagram account on Monday.

Burnett, 32, thanked teammates, coaches and fans.

“Ups and downs, wins and losses, I’m grateful for every moment and thankful for every opportunity I got to step on a practice field and game field,” Burnett wrote. “I may be hanging the cleats up but I will always have love and respect for the game.”

Burnett, a third-round pick of the Packers in 2010, played eight seasons in Green Bay. He appeared in 102 regular-season games and 11 playoff games with the Packers.

Burnett intercepted nine passes, forced eight fumbles, defended 44 passes, produced 7.5 sacks and tallied 698 total tackles (22 for losses) over his Packers career. He finished with 100 or more tackles in three different seasons (2011, 2012, 2014). In 2011, he set career highs for interceptions (three) and pass breakups (11).

After leaving Green Bay in 2017, Burnett finished his NFL career by playing in Pittsburgh (2018) and Cleveland (2019). He suffered a season-ending injury in 2019 and was not on a roster in 2020.

Former Packers general manager Ted Thompson traded up to take Burnett with the 71st overall pick in the 2010 draft. An immediate starter, Burnett played alongside Nick Collins at safety during the team’s first four games. He suffered an ACL injury and missed the rest of the season, but he still received a ring after the Packers went on to win Super Bowl XLV.

A tough and versatile player, Burnett played all over the defense for former coordinator Dom Capers, including snaps at linebacker.

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