Gareon Conley did not begin his career with the Houston Texans. In fact, the Texans were the penultimate stop in Conley’s NFL career, at least as it exists so far. After three seasons, the former first-round pick was out of the league.
Conley has returned to the field, taking his talents to the United Football League and, specifically, the DC Defenders.
He drew attention on Saturday and shared a telling message afterwards.
Ex-Texans CB Gareon Conley Sends Telling Message
GettyGareon Conley #22 of the Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans.
Nine years after he last suited up in an NFL regular-season game with the Texans, Conley turned heads with the Defenders, returning an interception off Houston Gamblers quarterback Taulia Tagovaila for a touchdown.
“Gareon Conley pick-six on Taulia Tagovailoa [flushed face emoji],” ESPN posted on X on April 11, adding a fire emoji for the 45-7 DC victory.
Conley shared the post.
He also added, “Thank you God for the blessings .. S/o to @_conleyisland @theconleyisland for getting me right for the past 5 years rehab speed training DB training and strength & conditioning [folded hands, island, and brain emojis].”
Among those to show support for Conley was former NFL QB Derek Carr, with whom he played for the Las Vegas Raiders. Carr shared the clip, tagging Conley in a message that said, “Happy for you G!!”
Notably, the two handles Conley included are his own and that of his self-titled LLC, a telling message on who has helped him regain his footing.
Conley, 30, spent the 2017 season with the Texans.
However, the former 24th overall pick of the 2017 draft by the Raiders spent his final NFL stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. He landed the opportunity with Dallas after first turning heads with the Defenders that season.
Gareon Conley Made Difficult Decision to Retire
Gareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass during warm-ups before the game against the Denver Broncos.
Conley, whom the Texans acquired in a trade with the Raiders, played in eight games for Houston during that 2017 season. He started six of those contests. Conley also spent the 2020 season with Houston, but he was on injured reserve with a leg injury.
Conley spent the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons completely out of football.
His time with the Cowboys ended in training camp in 2024 when he abruptly retired due to complications related to the issue that ended his final season in Houston before it began.
Conley explained that he had “been dealing with pain” since he got surgery on his leg during his rookie season with the Raiders, during which he had “a rod and two screws” inserted to address a “stress fracture in my tibia.”
Conley said he was “young and just wanted to play.
“It was the way to come back quicker and not have to worry about it breaking. I didn’t fully evaluate or know the situation fast forward I ended up for whatever reason having more than 7 procedures on the same lower right leg trying to find out why every time I run jump or cut or any single leg activity my leg starts throbbing cramping getting heavy and twitches and tingles,” Conley posted on X in July 2024.
“I’ve just been pushing past it cause I was and still am hesitant about the transition after football that’s all I’ve been most of my life and never really planned for what to do after.”
Gareon Conley Could Be Primed for Next NFL Comeback Attempt
GettyGareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates an interception during a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Conley, who had 27 total tackles and 11 pass deflections with the Texans, had 25 combined tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery with the Defenders in 2024. He has 5 total stops and 1 INT through three games with DC in 2026.
What comes next for Conley remains unclear.
The Texans turned to UFL product and ex-Raider first-round CB Damon Arnette [Houston Roughnecks] in 2025, and Conley could provide a similar depth option in 2026 if he is up for it.
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