Ex-New York Giants player retires from the NFL four years after being drafted

Defensive end Elerson Smith has announced his retirement from the NFL four years after being drafted by the Giants.

Smith, a fourth-round pick by New York in 2021, began his career with Big Blue as he appeared in 13 games for the franchise over two seasons.

He was waived by the team in July 2023 before spending time with the Jets and Raiders, though he didn't play in the regular season for either of them.

The former Northern Iowa player was a practice squad player for the Jets in 2023 before moving to the Raiders in the same capacity and playing for them in the following preseason.

He was released by Las Vegas last August before being scooped up by the Browns and playing two games for the team last year.

And despite signing a fresh one-year, $1million deal with the Browns in January (per Spotrac), he announced on Sunday that he was hanging up his cleats ahead of training camp beginning this week.

'What this game has given to me cannot be measured. So many of the best relationships in my life are connected to this sport. It allowed me to be a part of so many great teams and organizations,' he wrote on Instagram.

'It’s put me in rooms with some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever met. It gave me space to push the limits of what I thought I was capable of. Though I never reached all of my goals, I am happy walking away from the game. The chase of greatness was intoxicating. It will be truly missed.'

Smith went on to say that he was 'fortunate enough to have played this game as long as I wanted.'

'That would not have been possible without the work my family, teammates, and coaches put into helping me achieve my dreams,' he concluded.

In 15 career regular season games, Smith totaled 13 combined tackles and one forced fumble.

He finished his career with $2.348million in earnings.