Jordan Travis (#13) of Florida State looks on before the Orange Bowl against Georgia at Hard Rock Stadium, December 30, 2023. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
New York Jets rookie quarterback Jordan Travis is retiring from football just months after being drafted. The former Florida State standout announced Wednesday that he has not fully recovered from a serious leg injury suffered in college and has been advised by doctors to step away from the game.
“On November 18th, 2023, my life and career took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in a statement. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process, but despite my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with my doctors and medical team, I have been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.”
Career-Ending Injury at Florida State
Travis, who turns 25 this week, suffered a fractured and dislocated left ankle during a scramble against North Alabama late in the 2023 season. The injury came on a hip-drop tackle, cutting short his final year at FSU and sparking national debate when the undefeated Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoff.
Before the injury, Travis had led Florida State to an 11-0 record. He completed 64% of his passes for 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only two interceptions, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Drafted by the Jets in 2024
Despite his injury, the Jets selected Travis in the fifth round (No. 171 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. The team believed in his long-term potential and hoped he would eventually recover and compete. However, Travis never practiced and spent the season on the non-football injury list.
New Jets general manager Darren Mougey, who joined the team after the draft, confirmed Travis’ decision to retire.
“Jordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State,” Mougey said in a statement Wednesday. “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.”
Concerns Over Rehab Process
In March, Travis’ agent, Deiric Jackson, criticized the Jets’ handling of the quarterback’s recovery. He told ESPN that the team tried to rush Travis back too soon and that the pressure led to a setback in his rehab.
“The rehab with the Jets was not the best,” Jackson said. “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.”
The Jets said they followed the recovery plan outlined by Travis’ surgeon, Dr. Robert Anderson. Jackson had previously expressed hope that Travis could return in 2025, but Wednesday’s announcement ended that possibility.
Travis Thanks Jets, Reflects on Career
In a handwritten note posted on social media, Travis thanked the Jets “for believing in me and providing me with the opportunity to live out the ultimate dream.” He also expressed faith in his future, saying, “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.”
Travis finishes his college career with a 28-10 record as a starter between Louisville and Florida State.
After being drafted, Travis had hoped to eventually take over for Aaron Rodgers as the Jets’ starting quarterback.
“I do think about that a lot,” he said at the time.
Jets’ QB Depth Moving Forward
With Travis now retired, the Jets’ quarterback room includes Justin Fields and veteran Tyrod Taylor. Adrian Martinez, who spent last year on the practice squad, remains with the team. New York also signed former Missouri QB Brady Cook as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 draft.
More must-reads:
The Jetstream History of the New York Jets
The Six-Ringed History of the Pittsburgh Steelers
This report used information from ESPN.
