Why Myles Gaskin retired at 29 – Former Seattle Seahawks running back bids early goodbye to NFL after representing 6 teams in 7 seasons (Image via Getty: Myles Gaskin)Myles Gaskin announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29 on Instagram. He had a tumultuous 2025 offseason and midseason.On August 10, 2025, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. But on August 26, 2025, he was released during the final roster cuts. Later, in October 2025, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad. But on November 20, 2025, he was released. Wait, that’s not all.Six days later, the 29-year-old RB was re-signed by the Seahawks. And three days later, he was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad on November 29, 2025.But this to-and-fro, dicey situation did not stop there. Three days after joining the active roster, he was re-signed to the practice squad. Eventually, days later, the Seahawks released him on December 13, 2025. This team went on to win Super Bowl LX. This surely would have left a sour taste in Gaskin’s mouth.Former Seahawks RB Myles Gaskin had a tumultuous 2025 offseason and midseasonThe whole dicey situation could make a player confused – Am I playing? Am I playing or not? Am I not playing? Am I still with the team? Have I left the team? Does the team still want me?Several people are involved in making decisions for a player, but when it comes to his retirement, only the player is involved. The whole dicey situation could have happened again in the 2026 offseason, but before Myles Gaskin could enter the “playing, not playing” madness, he gave up. Also, he remained unsigned by any NFL team until August 2026.The 29-year-old running back, who once recorded over 1,300 rushing yards on 220 carries and scored 14 touchdowns in college for the Washington Huskies, is no longer going to play professional football. He shared an emotional NFL retirement message through Instagram.Myles Gaskin’s emotional Instagram postFootball gave Myles Gaskin the chance to fulfill his dream that was born long before the league stadiums, shiny lights, and Sunday crowds.He played seven seasons in the NFL. The journey took him from Richmond to O’Dea High School, the University of Washington, the Miami Dolphins, and finally, the Seattle Seahawks. He announced his NFL retirement through an emotional, gratitude-filled message on Instagram.“Thank you, God,” Gaskin wrote, reflecting on his childhood’s greatest dream that ultimately became his reality and allowed him to play the game he “loved at the highest level.”He thanked every stage of his football career that helped build him into the player – and the man – he became.He recalled his four years with the Washington Huskies, where he played “in the greatest setting in college football as a Dawg at the University of Washington.” He went back to his earlier days at O’Dea High School and as a Richmond Bulldog, tracing his path back to where the dream first began.His NFL journey brought him several memorable stops, starting with the Miami Dolphins and ending with the Seattle Seahawks.“To the Miami Dolphins, boy was that fun,” Gaskin wrote.But his final chapter carried a special meaning. The Seattle native was given the opportunity to play his last snaps back home with the Seahawks. “To the Seattle Seahawks, thank you for letting me play my last snaps back at the crib,” he said.Gaskin also paid tribute to the fans who make football what it is today, acknowledging the passion that fills the game from Friday nights and college Saturdays to NFL Sundays – and every other day football takes over the calendar.He later thanked every member of every team, stating, “To the staff, the organizations, my teammates, and coaches at every level, there are too many laughs, stories, and lessons to name, but every snap helped me grow into the man I always wanted to become.”The most emotional part of his goodbye message was reserved for the people who believed in him before the world even knew his name.Gaskin thanked longtime personal trainer, mentor, and CEO of Ford Sports Performance, Tracy Ford, for taking a chance on “a random kid” who walked into his gym, while also expressing gratitude to his older brother, Ivan Gaskin, for being the first person who ever believed in him.And then there were his parents, Scott and Robbie Gaskin.Gaskin credited them with giving him the freedom to chase his dream, the work ethic to pursue it and, most importantly, the support to do so without any peer pressure. “Thank you,” he wrote. “Couldn't have asked for better parents.”Although his playing days are over, Gaskin made it clear that his relationship with football is far from finished. Retirement won’t stop him.Unable to fully put into words what the game means to him, he promised to give back by helping the next generation of young players who dare to dream as he once did.After a journey defined by faith, family, and football, Myles Gaskin is walking away with immense gratitude. “Thank you,” he wrote. “It's been real. #MMFG #FFF – Faith, Family, Football. All glory to God.”PS: Myles Gaskin has not reportedly specified his reason for retirement at 29; instead, he expressed his wish to coach young football players.Myles Gaskin NFL tenure and contract summaryTeamTenure/ YearsContract TypeRushing Stats [Car/ Yds/ TD]Receiving Stats [Rec/ Yds/ TD]Miami Dolphins2019–2022 [4 years]4-year rookie contract [$2.6M peak value]357 car, 1,355 yds, 7 TD101 rec, 701 yds, 6 TDMinnesota Vikings2023–2024 [2 stints / 2 years]Practice squad/ 1-year contracts3 car, -1 yd, 0 TD1 rec, 11 yds, 0 TDLos Angeles Rams2023 [1 year]1-year contract0 car, 0 yds, 0 TD0 rec, 0 yds, 0 TDJacksonville Jaguars2024 [Offseason/PS]Practice squad/ off-season0 car, 0 yds, 0 TD0 rec, 0 yds, 0 TDBaltimore Ravens2025 [Offseason/PS]Practice squad/ off-season0 car, 0 yds, 0 TD0 rec, 0 yds, 0 TDSeattle Seahawks2025 [1 year]Practice squad / active roster3 car, 6 yds, 0 TD0 rec, 0 yds, 0 TD