Western Pennsylvania native and linebacker Chase Winovich is retiring from the NFL. He made the announcement Tuesday night on social media, announcing he’s moving on with life’s work.
“The time has come for me to serve the universe in other ways,” the post in part read.
You can read the full message below.
Winovich, 28, attended Thomas Jefferson High school south of Pittsburgh. Starring there, he committed to the University of Michigan as a three of four recruit, depending on the outlet. By his sophomore year, Winovich was making an impact, recording five sacks in 2016. In 2017, he broke out for 19 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks with another 15 tackles for a loss and five sacks in his senior year. In total, Winovich recorded 43 tackles for a loss and 18.5 sacks in his Wolverines’ career.
Pittsburgh had a Pro Day dinner with him but did not draft him. Instead, he became a third round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2019 NFL Draft. He had a solid rookie season, finishing with 5.5 sacks and replicated that his sophomore year. But in 2021, he was held without a sack and spent most of the season playing on special teams, missing part of the year with an injury.
In March of 2022, the Patriots traded him to the Cleveland Browns for LB Mack Wilson. He appeared in eight games for the team, notching one sack, but also missing two months with an injury. He signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans this offseason but failed to make the 53-man roster. Two days later, he was signed to the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad and elevated to play in three games this season. But he was released one week ago and has now decided to call it a career.
For his NFL career, Winovich appeared in 56 games, recording 107 tackles and 12 sacks.
