Steven Nelson has made the decision to end his NFL career after nine seasons. Over the weekend, the seasoned cornerback—who captained the Houston Texans as a team last season—made the unexpected choice to announce his retirement.
The 31-year-old stated to Houston’s KPRC-TV that he is quitting the game in order to spend more time with his family.
“Retirement, after thinking it over and having some talks with my family, I think it’s time for me to take a step back and spend more time with my family,” Nelson stated. “This coming month, we’re expecting a baby, so I wanted to focus all of my time and energy on that and other off-field business endeavors. I’m really pleased with what I was able to do in the game of football.”
Nelson had an incredible career that began in 2015 after the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft, despite never making it to a Pro Bowl. Nelson started at least 15 games in seven of his final eight seasons, having started from the bench as a rookie and earning a starting role in his second season with Kansas City.
Nelson left the Chiefs after four seasons and joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for two seasons (2019–20). Nelson led the Steelers to an 11-0 start in 2020 and finished third in interceptions.
After spending time in Pittsburgh, Nelson signed a contract with the Texans in 2022 and spent the 2021 season in Philadelphia. During his tenure in Houston, the cornerback flourished, particularly in 2023 when he tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
Nelson earned 16 starts for Houston in the previous season, and if he had chosen to continue playing, he probably might have found a place to call home in 2024. A number of teams, including the Raiders, Giants, Rams, Commanders, and Dolphins, reportedly shown considerable interest in Nelson or extended contract offers to him, according to KPRC.
Nelson did leave the door slightly open for a potential future return, even though he chose to decline those offers.
“I always will keep my body in shape and will always be ready if the right opportunity comes or I feel like the timing is right and my heart is into, I’ll do it,” Nelson stated. Right now, I believe it would be best for me to take a step back and just enjoy my family.”
Nelson’s career will undoubtedly conclude on a high note if this is it. In Houston’s 45-14 wild-card victory over the Browns, Nelson scored an 82-yard pick-six that all but sealed the victory.
After Nelson’s touchdown, Houston led 31-14 and the game was no longer close. The rout was already underway. In seven of his nine NFL seasons, Nelson advanced to the postseason. He also participated in one AFC Championship game, which took place in 2018 and saw the Chiefs fall to the Patriots 37-31 in overtime.
