Former Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker is hanging up his NFL spikes.
Walker announced on social media Thursday that he is retiring from the NFL after nine seasons. The linebacker spent three of them with the Browns from 2021-23.
Walker thanked football in his heartfelt Instagram post announcing his retirement.
“God, I don’t know how and why but thank you for all you’ve done and will do for me,” wrote Walker in a letter presented as a photo on Instagram. “Thank you football for 26 years of blood, sweat and tears.”
Walker also thanked coaches, teammates, NFL support staff and entire organizations. Walker included the Browns on his thank you list.
The linebacker also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
“Being a teammate was always my favorite part about playing football! Thank you all for helping me create the standard,” added Walker.
“Next chapter will be even better!”
Along with the message, Walker included pictures from youth football, his college career and the NFL. Four of the photos were from Walker’s tenure with the Browns.
In Cleveland, Walker registered 170 combined tackles, including seven tackles for loss in 28 games. He also had three quarterback hits, eight pass defenses, one sack and one forced fumbles during his Browns tenure, which included 27 starts.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Announces Retirement
GettyFormer Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker announced his NFL retirement on Instagram on Thursday.
Walker is leaving the NFL after playing just two games for the Buccaneers last season. In those two contests, he didn’t record a statistic. He played just one defensive snap and 14 snaps on special teams.
The linebacker began his career with the Colts as a fifth-round pick. Indianapolis drafted Walker at No. 161 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Walker completed his rookie contract with the Colts, becoming a starter in his final three seasons. In two seasons with Indianapolis, the linebacker eclipsed the 100-tackle mark.
Walker did that again in 2021 during his first season with the Browns. Despite playing just 13 contests, he had 113 combined tackles, two pass defenses and one sack.
But in 2022, Walker suffered a torn quad in Week 3. He spent the rest of the season on injured reserve.
Despite the injury, the Browns brought back Walker on a third consecutive 1-year contract in 2023. He bounced back to start 12 games for Cleveland during that campaign. He posted 44 combined tackles, four pass defenses and one forced fumble, helping Cleveland earn a playoff berth.
In 2024, Walker started eight games for the Dolphins before finishing his career with the Buccaneers.
Cleveland Browns Linebacker Depth Entering 2026
GettyThe Cleveland Browns linebacker corps is in good hands with 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger.
Since Walker’s departure, the Browns have selected two linebackers. In the second round last year, Cleveland landed UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger at No. 33 overall.
Schwesinger became an immediate star as a rookie. He registered 156 combined tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass defenses and two interceptions on his way to the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
With Schwesinger, the Browns linebackers corps is in great shape. To support the young star, Cleveland added Quincy Williams in NFL free agency this offseason.
The Browns also have Winston Reid, Nathaniel Watson, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Edefuan Ulofoshio at linebacker on their offseason roster.
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