Saints starting cornerback Patrick Robinson announces retirement from NFL after 11 seasons

Spoiler alert: issues are going very poorly for the New Orleans Saints in coaching camp. That mentioned, they’ve now simply gotten worse, because of what they heard from beginning cornerback Patrick Robinson this week. Robinson, 33, has knowledgeable the staff he’ll forego suiting up in 2021 and instead retire entirely from the NFL. His choice widens the canyon of want on the cornerback place in New Orleans, with the regular-season opener in opposition to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers proper across the nook on Sept. 12.

The information arrives solely in the future after the Saints discovered Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz will miss significant time after needing to endure surgical procedure to restore a core muscle harm, and that was on the identical day All-Pro extensive receiver Michael Thomas — who infuriated the staff by ready till June to have ankle surgical procedure that may sideline him indefinitely — fired a shot again throughout the bow, implying the team is attempting to “damage” his reputation.

All of this (and extra) occurring within the first 12 months following the retirement of future first poll Corridor of Fame quarterback Drew Brees will increase the Saints’ stage of issue exponentially of their mission to keep away from cratering in 2021. 

Robinson’s retirement means the Saints are shedding their starter reverse Marshon Lattimore, and lately signing veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara cannot be seen as an instantaneous repair right here. The higher answer is perhaps ready for them in Jacksonville, the place rumors are swirling of the Jaguars being open to buying and selling former prime 10 choose C.J. Henderson, and stories having the Saints as a lead horse in that race.

It is unknown in the event that they caught wind of Robinson’s choice after which probably reached out to the Jaguars (assuming the stories of their curiosity in Henderson are true), or if Robinson’s choice caught them off guard. That is neither right here nor there at this level, nonetheless, as a result of extra questions at the moment are raised that should be answered, and expeditiously.

Robinson is a former first-round choose of the Saints in 2010 who performed out his rookie contract earlier than occurring a little bit of an NFL tour — spending time with the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles earlier than returning to New Orleans in 2018 on a four-year, $20 million contract. He suffered a damaged ankle that season and missed all however one begin, however labored his means again into being a key participant in 2020 — gathering two interceptions final season — earlier than nursing harm once more in December. He’d be activated from injured reserve within the playoff win over the Chicago Bears however was inactive within the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He leaves the staff, and league, with one 12 months remaining on his deal in New Orleans.