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Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Robert Woods announced his NFL retirement on social media Tuesday.
Veteran wide receiver Robert Woods never played in an NFL regular season game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the wideout still thanked the organization in his retirement message Tuesday.
Woods announced his retirement through NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on X. Woods signed a 1-day contract with the Los Angeles Rams and then called it a career.
“After 27 unforgettable years of pouring my heart into this game, and 13 incredible years in the NFL — It’s time for me to step away from playing the sport that has given me everything,” wrote Woods. “Football has never just been a game to me — it has been my passion, my purpose, and my lifelong dream.
“I cherished every moment my cleats touched the grass. Every time I stepped onto the field, I was determined to leave a piece of myself in every snap….
“To the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers — thank you for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream at the highest level.”
Woods will end his NFL career with the Steelers as his last stop. He spent the 2025 offseason with the team, but Woods didn’t make the roster out of training camp.
After initially agreeing to sign with the Steelers practice squad to begin the 2025 campaign, Woods changed his mind. Instead, he elected to pursue other opportunities on an active roster.
Woods, though, never signed with another team.
He will retire having posted 683 receptions, 8,233 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns in 171 NFL career games.
Robert Woods Announces NFL Retirement
Woods never made the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. But he was a consistent receiving threat for several teams over more than a decade.
He peaked with the Rams early in Sean McVay’s tenure with the franchise. In 2018, Woods posted 86 catches for 1,219 receiving yards with six touchdowns. He averaged a career-best 14.2 yards per catch that year.
The following two seasons, he tallied a career-high 90 catches. In 2020, he also reached six touchdowns for the second time in his career.
Woods ended his career unable to earn a roster spot in Pittsburgh despite a shallow Steelers receiving corps. But when talking about his legacy down the road, few will likely remember the final career stop.
Woods last appeared during the regular season for the Texans. He had 20 catches for 203 receiving yards on 30 targets in 15 games during 2024.
Woods Signs 1-Day Rams Contract
It was fitting for the veteran receiver to retire with the Rams. He played in Los Angeles longer than any other place.
More than half of his production came with the Rams as well.
Over 12 official NFL seasons, Woods played five for the Rams and four for the Bills. He appeared in one season for the Titans before then spending two campaigns with the Texans.
Woods registered 367 catches, 4,626 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns in Los Angeles.
Woods’s retirement message was seven paragraphs long. He concluded by thanking the ones closest to him.
“Most importantly, to my wife, my children, and my entire family — thank you for being my foundation,” wrote Woods. “There are no words that can truly express my gratitude. Everything I accomplished on the field was made possible because of the support, prayers, and belief you poured into me every single day.”
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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