Ja’Lynn Polk retired after two seasons in the NFL

02 August 2026

This is unfortunate. The Patriots drafted Polk in the 2024 NFL Draft’s second round with the No. 37 overall pick after a successful college career at Washington. He caught just 12-of-31 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. He underwent two shoulder surgeries the following offseason and was sidelined for the entire 2025 season. The Patriots traded him to the Saints in a September pick swap that year. Today, the Saints placed him on the reserve/retired list. New Orleans Football’s Mike Triplett reports that Polk had participated all offseason, but was surprisingly absent last Friday. Here’s hoping Polk, 24, enjoys good health in retirement.