Chiefs All-Pro, World Champ OL retires after nine seasons in the NFL
@ChiefsFan4Lyfe Chiefs Focus @Chiefsfocus
The four-time All-Pro selection and future Chiefs Ring of Honor member Offensive Tackle
Mitchell Schwartz has announced his retirement on Thursday morning via Twitter after nine
seasons in the NFL.
“I’m officially retiring from the NFL. It’s been almost two years since I injured my back. I had surgery last February and have been doing rehab ever since. I’m currently feeling as good as I have since then, but it’s clear my body won’t ever be the same. The nerve pain down my legs is no longer a daily occurrence, but it might never fully go away.” “I’ve enjoyed so much about my time in the NFL and am walking away feeling very fulfilled. Winning the Super Bowl was the pinnacle of my career. My 7,894 consecutive snaps streak and four All-Pro nominations are my proudest individual accomplishments, far exceeding my own expectations,” Schwartz said via his Twitter.
33-year-old Schwartz spent 2021 as a free agent after being released by the Chiefs after the 2020 season due to his injuries. He had surgery last February for a back injury that prematurely ended his season in 2020 and snapped a streak of 134 consecutive starts. However, that doesn’t take away the great accomplishments that Mitchell achieved not only in Cleveland but in Kansas City. The No. 37 overall pick of the 2012 Draft by the Browns, Schwartz had his best years after arriving in Kansas City in 2016. He immediately showed he belonged and he became part of the foundation that Andy Reid used to help the Chiefs franchise grow into one of the league’s best. His best season was when he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2018. Schwartz helped keep a clean pocket for Mahomes’ MVP year, during which he was the first MVP in Chiefs history and
broke franchise records in several major passing categories last season, including passing yards
(5,097), passing touchdowns (50) and passer rating (113.8).
Despite that season ending on a bad play by Dee Ford, the next season Schwartz would anchor the same line to the Chiefs first Super Bowl win in 50 seasons in 2019. That season in the playoffs, Pro Football Focus’ stats showed that Schwartz was the best offensive player in the playoffs during that Super Bowl campaign.
Schwartz didn’t allow not one sack during that span. He was a second-team All-Pro three more times as a Chief.
Few players in recent history have meant more to the Chiefs franchise and the Kansas City community than Mitchell. His tireless work ethic and passion for the game made him one of the most productive offensive linemen to ever wear a Chiefs uniform and one of the most respected players both in our locker room and around the league. Since 2016, Mitchell represented himself and the Chiefs organization with integrity, humility and class, and he will always be apart of the Chiefs family.
The two things about Mitchell that fans will enjoy during his post retirement, Mitchell is an amazing chef and a great analyst on the game of football especially from a Offensive lineman prospective. I can see him having his own cooking show like Gordon Ramsey or Guy Fieri, or being a sports analyst in the same light as Len Dawson after he finished his career. Mitchell is great at doing both especially I can see him coming back to Coach the Chiefs O-line in the future. That’s up to him and whatever Mitchell decides, we will support our guy. Can’t wait to see his Ring of Honor ceremony one day. Congratulations and Thank you for
everything, Champ! You earned it and deserve this honor and I wish you and your family the
best of luck on the next adventure.
