Linebacker A.J. Klein retires after 11 seasons in NFL

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th July, 14:57 2024

NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Klein (52) talks to the media after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Klein announced his retirement on Tuesday, his 33rd birthday.

Klein played 11 NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2013-16), New Orleans Saints (2017-19), Chicago Bears (2022), Baltimore Ravens (2022) and Bills (2020-21, 2022-23), with whom his contract expired in January.

He started 82 of 146 games and totaled 465 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 45 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hits and four interceptions -- one returned for a touchdown.

The Panthers selected him in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Iowa State.

"Today is the first birthday I've celebrated not at a training camp in 15 years and it only seemed fitting to celebrate two milestones on this day," Klein, a native of Appleton, Wis., posted on his Instagram account. "Today, I'm proud to announce that I'm officially retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons."

--Field Level Media