Bucs WR Cole Beasley hangs up his cleats after 11 NFL seasons

After recently signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, veteran wide receiver Cole Beasley announced his retirement from the NFL.

As their wide receivers dealt with injuries (and one suspension), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Cole Beasley, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, ahead of Week 3. After just two games, Beasley made an important announcement.

Beasley’s agents Joel and Justin Turner told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo that the wide receiver was retiring from the league after 11 seasons. Justin Turner says that “he’s ready to be with his family” and that “it’s time to be a full-time dad and husband.”

Cole Beasley announces retirement from NFL

After spending his college career playing for the SMU Mustangs, Beasley signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2012. During his tenure in Dallas, Beasley’s 2016 season stands out, as he caught 75 receptions for 833 yards and five touchdowns, which were then career-highs. That was the very year the Cowboys started Dak Prescott, and the team went all the way to the Divisional Round.

In his seven years with the Cowboys (103 games), Beasley logged 319 catches for 3,271 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Entering the 2019 league year, Beasley signed a four-year, $29 million contract with the Bills, and immediately became one of quarterback Josh Allen’s top targets. Beasley and the Bills made the playoffs in the first three years of his deal, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2020.

This past March, Beasley reportedly requested a trade from the team. Ultimately a trade partner could not be found, and he was released from his deal.

With the Bills, Beasley posted 231 catches for 2,438 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Beasley joined the shorthanded Buccaneers ahead of the team’s Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers. During the game in question, Beasley caught three-of-four targets for 12 yards in the team’s 14-12 loss. Top Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones all returned for their Week 4 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. Beasley did play against the Chiefs, catching his lone target for five yards.

After spending 11 seasons with three different teams, Beasley has decided to hang up his cleats.