Jordan Travis: A Promising Career Cut Short
In a surprising turn of events, New York Jets backup quarterback Jordan Travis has announced his retirement from football, a decision that comes before he ever had the chance to play a single down in the NFL. This announcement has left fans and analysts alike reflecting on what could have been for the young quarterback.
Travis, who was a standout player for Florida State, suffered a devastating leg injury in 2023 while playing for the then-undefeated Seminoles. The injury was a major setback, and despite undergoing surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation process, his left leg never fully recovered. On Wednesday, Travis made the difficult decision to retire, following the advice of his doctors.
“On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in a heartfelt statement. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts and my agent, I’ve been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.”
The Jets had selected Travis in the fifth round (No. 171) of the 2024 draft, fully aware of the challenges he faced with his ongoing rehab. They believed in his potential and hoped he would eventually be cleared to practice. Unfortunately, that day never came, and Travis spent the entire season on the non-football injury list.
General manager Darren Mougey, who joined the organization after Travis was drafted, was asked about the quarterback’s health status at the conclusion of last weekend’s draft. He declined to comment at the time but later released a statement on Wednesday.
“Jordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State,” Mougey said. “It is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard. We support his decision and wish him only the best.”
There is some speculation about whether the Jets were aware of Travis’ retirement plans during the draft, as they chose not to draft a quarterback. Their current depth chart includes Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, with Adrian Martinez as a practice-squad player in 2024. Additionally, former Missouri quarterback Brady Cook has agreed to a contract as an undrafted free agent.
- Justin Fields
- Tyrod Taylor
- Adrian Martinez
- Brady Cook
In early March, Travis’ agent, Deiric Jackson, expressed criticism of the Jets’ handling of Travis’ rehab. He told ESPN, “His rehab with the Jets was not the best. They tried to rush him. It was too fast. There was pressure on the coaching staff, and they tried to get him going sooner than the timeline really was. That caused the setback, and we had to shut him down completely.”
Jackson did not specify the nature of the setback, and the Jets maintained that they followed the rehab protocol prescribed by Travis’ surgeon, orthopedist Robert Anderson. At the time of the interview, Jackson was “optimistic” that Travis would be ready for the 2025 season.
In a handwritten statement posted to social media, Travis expressed gratitude to the Jets for believing in him and providing him with the opportunity to pursue his dream. “It is crazy how fast life can change. This is not the ending I had ever imagined, but I do trust the Lord’s plan above all else,” he wrote.
Travis’ football career came to an abrupt end during a scramble against North Alabama, where he suffered a fractured and dislocated left ankle due to an apparent hip-drop tackle. This incident sparked controversy, as Florida State was excluded from the College Football Playoff despite an undefeated season.
Travis finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting after completing 64% of his passes with 20 touchdown passes and only two interceptions, leading the Seminoles to an 11-0 record. He began his college career at Louisville before transferring to Florida State, where he achieved a 28-10 starting record.
After being drafted by the Jets, Travis had expressed his ambition to one day succeed Aaron Rodgers. “I do think about that a lot,” he had said, reflecting on his aspirations.
Originally Written by: Field Level Media
